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Capital Jewish Museum

Exploring the Jewish experience in the national capital region and inspiring visitors to connect personally and collectively, reflect on the relevance of the past to today, and act on behalf of their communities and values.

Capital Jewish Museum at dusk, Fall 2023. Photo: Alex Fradkin Photography

Plan Your Visit

Hours, Admission & more

Notorious RBG book cover illustration by Adam Johnson. Courtesy of HarperCollins. Photographs: Crown © by Hurst Photo/Shutterstock

Special Exhibition

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Extended by popular demand through Dec 3

Presented by PNC

Hanukkah Gifts

Featuring works from local artists & makers
[In store only]

Spark Curiosity

Give the gift of a Museum membership.

In the News

WETA Around Town Best Bets

Cornerstone laying, Jewish Community Center, 16th and Q Streets NW in 1925. Capital Jewish Museum Collection, Jewish Community Center Collection.

Cornerstone laying, Jewish Community Center, 16th and Q Streets NW in 1925. Capital Jewish Museum Collection, Jewish Community Center Collection.

The Whole Spiel

SPIEL (shpeel): A long involved story or tale. A blog.

Historic Adas Israel synagogue (foreground) and National Building Museum, formerly the headquarters of the United States Pension Bureau, background, ca. 1905.

Ongoing Exhibition

What is Jewish Washington?

Step into history–a real 19th-century synagogue–as you explore local Jewish stories in DC and the Maryland and Virginia suburbs.

Decoupage bottle made by Sol Ereza of Magen David Sephardic Congregation. Gift of Gwen Zuares, Capital Jewish Museum Collection.

Ongoing Exhibition

Connect. Reflect. Act.

Dig deep into local Jewish history, discover Jewish perspectives on social justice issues facing the world today, and think about your own identity and values.

Notorious RBG book cover illustration by Adam Johnson. Courtesy of HarperCollins. Photographs: Crown © by Hurst Photo/Shutterstock

Special Exhibition

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Extended by popular demand through Dec 3

Presented by PNC

Matchbox, signed by President Jimmy
Carter and used by the president at the
White House Hanukkah event, December
17, 1979. Capital Jewish Museum
Collec􀆟on. Gi􀅌 of Michael Kranish and
family.

Explore the Collection

From the 1850s to the present day

“Almost 150 years after the region’s first purpose-built synagogue was dedicated, the Capital Jewish Museum figuratively and literally connects the story of Jewish Washington’s past, present, and future.”

Esther Safran Foer, President

With thanks to our partners.

Partner Agency of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington