Situated in the heart of the city, the new Capital Jewish Museum will be a busy hive of activity where visitors can experience how Jewish Washington has shaped and been shaped by the evolution of our nation and its capital.
The historic synagogue will be the centerpiece of our new museum — the largest artifact and the starting point for visitors.
From that heart, we will literally connect our roots to our future, with a two-story lobby that links the synagogue to the new museum.
A second-floor bridge bisects the lobby, and creates an accessible entry to the historic sanctuary for the first time in its storied history!
Museum Overview
The new four-story, modern museum facility will include three public floors of exhibitions and programming spaces, and one staff floor for collections archives and offices.
Additional public spaces will provide an opportunity to host compelling public programs for families, schoolchildren and adults that engage with broader, provocative themes in the news.
Features
- 25,000 square-foot new facility across four floors
- Core and changing exhibition galleries
- Program and event spaces
- Community lab
- Multi-story, light-filled lobby
- Outdoor roof terrace
Neighborhood
Located at Third & F Streets, NW, the Museum will be the key cultural institution in the Capitol Crossing neighborhood, a new mixed-use development that includes five commercial buildings as well as cafes, restaurants, and retail facilities.
Features
- Just steps from the National Building Museum and Judiciary Square Metro and a short walk from Union Station
- Near the heart of the historic downtown Jewish community
- In the center of the third-largest Jewish community in the country
Lobby
Visitors will immediately feel welcomed by this airy, light-filled space, as they take in a close-up view of the historic synagogue and the bridge connecting it to the new building.
Features:
- 1,500 square feet
- Gathering space for museum visitor orientation
- Starting point for neighborhood walking tours
- Rentals for simchas and meetings
- Table seating for 100-125 people
Event Space
Large windows look out onto F Street, filling the room with light and creating a comfortable environment for learning. During the day, with retractable walls hidden away, visitors will experience a seamless connection into the lobby.
Evening and weekend programming here includes school demonstrations and workshops, exhibition openings, book talks by scholars, concerts and theatrical performances, film screenings and receptions for diplomatic delegations.
Features
- 1,250 square feet
- Retractable walls open onto the lobby
- Large windows overlooking historic synagogue
- Seats 80-100 people theater-style
Core Exhibition Gallery
Features
- Largest exhibition gallery at 4,000 square feet
- Key educational experience for adults and students
- Atrium viewing window
- Temperature and humidity controls
Community Action Lab
The Community Lab will provide the space, materials, and provocations for group explorations around social action and identity. Experiences will be personal, engaging and interactive.
Features
- 1,100 square feet
- Programming for families with children from 7-17
- Facilitated school group workshops
Historic Synagogue
Experience the historic synagogue that helped shape our country.
Features:
- Accessible off museum lobby and via elevator and bridge
- Event space for 100 seated in sanctuary
- Restored to original appearance
Special Exhibition Gallery
This gallery will host traveling exhibits that currently bypass D.C. due to lack of a suitable venue, featuring Jewish culture and heritage in art, literature, and community.
Staff-curated temporary exhibits will address provocative, newsworthy themes of local, national, and international importance.
Features
- 3,400 square feet
- Responsive windows can be adjusted for light-sensitive artifacts
- Adjacent exhibition preparation space
- Temperature and humidity controls
Roof Terrace
The third-floor roof terrace, overlooking the neighborhood and the majestic nearby National Building Museum, will be a comfortable space for relaxing over coffee, casual programs, and discussions with friends and family.
Features
- Garden planters and trellis
- Overhead pergola
- Great views
- Adjacent green roof