Education Impact Report
Strengthening Our Democracy
REBECCA KRASNER, M S ED DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Intoday’spolarizedsociety,museumsremainamongthe public’smosttrustedinstitutions,underscoringthe Weitzman’svitallyimportantmissiontoeducateabroad publicaboutthetruestoriesofJewishlifeinAmerica. TheOctober7thmassacre,hostagecrisis,andwarhave hadaprofoundimpactonstudentsandteachers.I've spokenwithJewishteachersandparentsofJewish studentsacrossthecountrywhofeelunsupportedby theirschoolsinthefaceofantisemitism
TheWeitzmanprovideseducationtocounterthe misinformationandharmfulstereotypesthatpermeate ourculture Todevelopthenextgenerationofleaders, ourschoolprogramsengageyoungpeoplein conversationsaboutdifferenceanddiversity,inspire curiosityaboutourselvesandothers,andintroduce learningopportunitiesthatpromotecivildiscourse.Our nationalprofessionaldevelopmentforpublicschool teachersprovidesmuch-neededresourcesaboutJewish identity,Jewishhistory,andtheconnectionbetween AmericanJewsandIsrael.
Inthefollowingpages,you’lllearnmoreaboutour progressthispastyearandourplanstoexpandthis criticalworkinthecomingschoolyear.
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OpeningcelebrationforCentralHighSchoolstudentsandfamiliesatTheWeitzman. SeeEITCDollarsatWork,page1
2023-2024
Transformative Learning Experiences
EITC
Dollars at Work
What happens when you bring together curious minds, powerful ideas, and the enduring lessons of history? This spring, The Weitzman found out, as it transformed into a "Museum in Residence" for Central High School's International Baccalaureate students, diving deep into the complexities of American democracy. Led by Rebecca Krasner, the Museum's Director of Education, students engaged in critical discussions on American ideals, democratic values, and community change.
The program culminated in an art installation titled Photographing Community: A Student Lens on Democracy, which showcased photographs and essays from 60 students Their images and writings responded to the prompt: “Where do you see the intersection of citizenship, community, and care in your lives?” During the opening night’s presentations, one student, Jayden, highlighted the Museum's celebration of community, drawing parallels with her experiences in a nonJewish African American home.
This project, in partnership with the American Creed: Citizen Power initiative, allowed students to connect their learning with a national conversation. Thanks to the support of donors and EITC funds, The Weitzman expanded its educational outreach, empowering the next generation of leaders.
Photos:RachelUtainEvansandTheWeitzman
BY THE NUMBERS
The Weitzman brought our educational programs into classrooms nationwide and provided essential professional development for public school teachers.
$1,023,000
2023-2024
33% Pennsylvania Teachers National Teachers
67%
Support for education from EITC Tax Contributions, Federal Allocations, Foundation Grants, and Individual Donors enabled: Education for PA public schools at no cost to schools or students
Two new positions: an educator and a curriculum writer
Piloting new educational initiatives
882 Professional
220 Receivedthe“travelingsuitcase”as partofoursignatureBecoming Americanprogram,bringingstories ofAmericanJewishimmigrationto classroomsin NewYork NewJersey Michigan
Classrooms
Development
Teachers Trained
3,340
Students reached with in-person programs
Becoming American Courageous Choices
Unique Promise, Imperfect Freedom Citizen Power Unpacked Stories that Shaped a Nation: Jewish Lives in America
Beauty in Our Differences
EducationatTheWeitzmanextends beyondtraditionalclassroomsettings Ourfamilyprogramsofferjoyfullearning experiencestoadiverseaudience throughouttheyear.Onepowerful examplewasourfreeDualHeritageMonth CelebrationonMay5,2024forJewish AmericanandAsianAmericanandPacific IslanderHeritageMonths,with participationfromChinese,Japanese, Indian,Mongolian,Korean,Tibetan, Cambodian,andBangladeshicommunities.
“Atitsheart,thiscelebrationisaprofound acknowledgmentofourintertwined
historiesandsharedfutures Bringing togethertheJewishandAsianPacific Americancommunitiesallowsusnotonly tohonorourdistinctheritagesbuttoforge asharedpathforwardbasedonmutual respectandunderstanding.Intoday’s world,wherediversityisoftenmetwith division,eventslikeoursarevital remindersthatourstrengthtrulyliesin ourunity,”remarkedeventpartner StephanieSun,Co-founderandCo-chair ofthePennsylvaniaAsianPacificAmerican JewishAlliance(PAPAJA).
Thedayculminatedinamulticulturalhora dance,wherechildrenandadultsfromall backgroundsjoinedtogether.Itwasa powerfulreminderoftheworldweaspire tocreate aworldthatvaluesbridgebuilding,allyship,thebeautyofour differences,andjoy
MarciaBronstein,RegionalDirectorofthe AJCPhiladelphia/SouthernJerseyregion, shared,“Thiseventallowedustocome togetherinashowofsolidarity,havealot offun,anddiscoverwhatunifiesus”
PhotosbyShootfromWithin
AdynamicDualHeritageFamilyDayattheMuseumcosponsoredbythePennsylvaniaAsianPacificAmericanJewish Alliance,theAmericanJewishCommitteePhiladelphia/ SouthernJerseyregion,andTheWeitzman.
National Impact 6th through 12th:
Stories that Shaped a Nation
In the coming year, The Weitzman will launch Stories that Shaped a Nation, a groundbreaking national education initiative designed to disrupt rising antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred. As part of this initiative, we will develop and introduce a new, multi-unit curriculum for public schools that explores American Jewish history, contemporary Jewish culture, Jewish identity, and the connection between American Jews and Israel. This curriculum will also highlight the significant contributions of American Jews to American society.
We've spent the past six months creating and testing the program ’ s framework The curriculum will be piloted in 10 classrooms to more than 200 students nationwide and accessible to teachers via our website. Selected teachers will participate in a national fellowship, receive specialized training, and contribute to the program ’ s evaluation. Additionally, the curriculum will be disseminated through partnerships with Jewish and secular organizations, ensuring broad reach and impact Please see the evolving list of partners below.
This initiative has impressive backing from partners within and outside the Jewish community*:
Anti-Defamation League
Beth El Civil Rights Experience
Citizen Film
Council of American Jewish Museums
Gratz College
High School Law Review
Institute for Curriculum Services
Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas
National Writing Project
USC Shoah Foundation
*List as of August 2024
To scale our work, The Weitzman has a multi-pronged approach Educational opportunities for Stories that Shaped a Nation include online professional development, direct-to-student presentations, and partnerships to bring our resources to entire school districts. The Museum has committed partnerships with The School District of Philadelphia and the Davis (California) Joint Unified School District for the coming school year and partnerships with additional school districts are in process.
“Never has a society tolerated overt antisemitism and remained a democratic society. Combating the interconnectedness of hatred requires building broad and strong coalitions of conscience across communities.”
Deborah Lipstadt, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism
Education & Allyship
Our experience shows that students are most engaged when American Jewish history is presented within the broader context of our nation’s founding ideals, helping them see how the history of one group is integral to the endurance of our democracy. Learning about Jewish history, interfaith and intercultural allyship, and the origins of contemporary antisemitism encourages students to stand against hate in all its forms, reinforcing democratic values. We also embrace 'makhloket l’shem shamayim' disagreement for the sake of heaven as a uniquely Jewish approach to fostering civil discourse.
The Weitzman’s multi-pronged approach to confronting antisemitism through our new national educational initiative, Stories that Shaped a Nation:
TRAVELING POSTER EXHIBITION
ONLINE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
HISTORY OF ANTISEMITISM IN AMERICA MUSEUM TOURS
DIRECT-TO-STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
WEITZMAN TEACHER FELLOWSHIP
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERSHIPS
SPOTLIGHT Jason & Holly Barg
What motivated you to support the Museum?
As third-generation Philadelphians, we ’ re proud that a national, flagship Jewish museum is located here in our community. Our grandparents grew up in Philadelphia during a time when Jews were restricted from certain schools, communities, and job opportunities. In response to that discrimination, they became part of a Jewish community that supported each other We wanted to honor that legacy, which is why we dedicated a case in their memory.
What kind of impact are you hoping to have with your support?
Walking through the Museum helps you understand what it was like for Jewish immigrants in America. You see not just the challenges they faced but also the contributions they made to American society. We hope more people, especially students, have the chance to learn these stories. Today, stereotypes about Jewish people persist, but learning the truth can dispel those misconceptions. If even one person walks away with a more positive understanding of Jewish people, then our support has been worth it
THANK YOU
Our supporters are the driving force behind everything we do Whether you contribute a major gift to help us develop educational materials and opportunities, make an EITC contribution to break down barriers to access, or give annually to sustain our exhibitions, your generosity is deeply appreciated by us and by the students, families, and teachers who benefit from your support.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Introduce The Weitzman’s dynamic educational programs to your teachers, school administrators, and district leaders. Our initiatives are available nationwide to inspire and engage learners everywhere. Help us, the Nation’s Jewish Museum, by advocating for our inclusion in the Smithsonian Visit TheWeitzman org/Smithsonian for details
Contribute financial support through an individual gift, foundation grant, or EITC contribution.
To support our work, please contact our Major Gifts and Corporate Giving Officer
Rachel Berger at 215-391-4632 or rberger@theweitzman.org.