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Honorable Discharge certificate from the United States Navy for Herbert Harold Houser, Aviation Radioman Second Class, January 23, 1946. Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum Collection. Gift of Staci Houser.

The Whole Spiel

“In Grateful Recognition of Outstanding Service:” An Ode to Certificates 

We collect a lot of certificates here at the Capital Jewish Museum. In fact, according to our database, we have over 150 of them! These certificates are made… (Read more)

Button featuring interlocking, rainbow-colored lambda (Greek letter) in the shape of a six-pointed star; the logo of Bet Mishpachah, the LGBTQ+ synagogue of Washington, DC, ca. 2010s. Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum Collection. Gift of Michael Garbus

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The Language and Symbols of LGBTJews in the Federal City

This exhibition is about the history, culture, and activism of LGBTQ+ Jews in DC, from the congregations to the clubs… (Read more)

Card, Leave for Federal Employees, 1961. | Gift of Harold Wallace in memory of Elliot Sivowitch

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Go Team Blue!

Sleepaway camps are giving way to back-to-school season, but I’m clinging to August even as it slips through my fingers… (Read more)

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LGBTQ+ and Jewish Voices Wanted

We Want to Hear Your Story We’re looking for 6–8 people to take the stage at a live event this… (Read more)

Red collection artifacts on view as part of a Collections Color War, August 2025.

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Collections Color War Cases

In the spirit of a much-loved summer camp tradition, color war, please enjoy our Collections Color War Cases. We offer… (Read more)

Bride and Groom in the exhibition Connect. Reflect. Act, Spring 2025. Photo: Nichole Terry

Bride and Groom in the exhibition Connect. Reflect. Act, Spring 2025. Photo: Nichole Terry

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On Celebrating Love in the Shadow of Hate

Recently, my wife and I married in an intimate ceremony on the terrace of the beautiful Capital Jewish Museum. We… (Read more)

Color photograph of Wendy Schumacher standing at the train station she took to work for the Peace Corps in Casablanca, Morocco, 2001. Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum Collection. Gift of Wendy Schumacher

Color photograph of Wendy Schumacher at the train station she took to work for the Peace Corps in Casablanca, Morocco, 2001. Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum Collection. Gift of Wendy Schumacher

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Spotlight On: Wendy Schumacher’s Federal Career

With government funding in the news a lot lately, we’re taking the opportunity to learn some new stories about the… (Read more)

Participants on the National Mall at the National March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, & Bi Equal Rights & Liberation, April 1993. Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum Collection. Gift of Mitch Weissner.

Participants on the National Mall at the National March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, & Bi Equal Rights & Liberation, April 1993. Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum Collection. Gift of Mitch Weissner.

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Top Ten Most Important LGBTQ Marches in DC

Washington, DC has long been a stage for LGBTQ+ activism. From the first “gay picket” in 1965 to the recent… (Read more)

Dr. Beatrice Gurwitz, Executive Director of the Capital Jewish Museum (right), and
Chris Wolf, Board President of the Capital Jewish Museum (center), take Washington, DC
Mayor Muriel Bowser (left) to the Museum’s new LGBTJews in the Federal City exhibition,
following the Museum’s reopening on May 29, 2025. Chris Ferenzi Photography.

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Community Gathering of Remembrance and Reopening

The Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum was founded to share Jewish stories, build understanding, and encourage community dialogue…. (Read more)

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A Message from the Museum’s Leadership

Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Supporters, This previous week has been harrowing for all of us at the Capital Jewish Museum,… (Read more)