Community Days: Esther Bubley

Please join us for a Community Day! The entire Museum, including special exhibition Esther Bubley: Photographing the Home Front, will be free to the public.

Immerse yourself in 1940s Washington with the home front photography of Esther Bubley.

Esther Bubley (1921-1998), the daughter of Jewish immigrants, was a documentary photographer who worked for the Office of War Information during WWII. While in the capital, she photographed Wilson (now Jackson-Reed) High School students and followed uniformed soldiers throughout the city—to the Loew’s Theater, Glen Echo amusement park, and Dissin’s Jewish boarding house, where her sister lived. Bubley’s evocative black-and-white photographs show us a bustling city welcoming thousands of new residents experiencing urban life. This exhibition pairs dramatic photography with artifacts from the Museum collection that help illustrate this glimpse into the capital city at a critical time in our nation’s history.

This special exhibition is made possible in part by Sue Ducat and the Stieber Family. Exhibition donors as of June 25, 2026.

Major support for the Museum is provided by DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

As of 6.25.2026

Also happening at CJM on December 9th:

Craft and Sip: Join us for an art workshop inspired by the work of Esther Bubley! Bring your own printed photos for a guided photograph embroidery workshop.  Or bring your own project and join other crafty folks for an evening of creativity and connection.

Holiday Market: Still searching for the perfect gift for yourself or others? Tired of looking at that gaudy purple cat shaped menorah that doesn’t match your vibe?Come shop from local vendors and enjoy tastes of the season.

Security and Safety

We are committed to ensuring that our museum is a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

The Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum reserves the right to refuse entry, or remove anyone from our premises, at our sole discretion. This includes, but is not limited to, anyone who is intoxicated, disruptive, threatening, or refuses a security check.

• All guests and bags will be searched upon entry. To speed up security screenings, please empty your pockets upon arrival and leave prohibited items and large bags at home.
• Please be advised, due to enhanced security measures, all Museum visitors 18 and older must present a government-issued ID upon arrival. The Museum reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone unable to present ID.

Image: Photograph by Esther Bubley, Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Office of War Information