B'nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum® Collection

B’NAI B’RITH AND HEBREW UNION COLLEGE SKIRBALL MUSEUM PARTNER TO ESTABLISH NEW HOME FOR DISTINCTIVE ART COLLECTION

B’nai B’rith International and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) have undertaken a partnership to acquire, preserve and display the art and artifacts of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum at HUC-JIR’s Skirball Museum, a vital cultural and educational outreach venue of its historic campus in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Significantly augmenting the Skirball’s holdings, the Klutznick’s sacred and secular fine and decorative arts and social documents will be exhibited as the “B’nai B’rith Klutznick Collection.” In addition, a select group of Klutznick artifacts will be loaned to the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington to be displayed in its new building, slated for opening in 2020.

With its call for the furthering of innovation for Jewish life and learning, HUC-JIR’s Skirball Museum is an optimal partner to showcase this distinctive collection. As America’s first officially established Jewish Museum, originally named the Union Museum, the Skirball will join forces with B’nai B’rith through online exhibitions and links disseminating information about the collection with other organizations, and the sponsoring of special programs and lectures, ensuring global access to the collection.

The successful 2012 transfer and processing of B’nai B’rith’s own archives to The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, situated on the Cincinnati campus of HUC-JIR, motivated the continuing development of the partnership between the two venerable organizations. 

Some years after the 2002 move of B’nai B’rith International from its Rhode Island Avenue headquarters, which necessitated the closure of the museum space, B’nai B’rith surveyed potential venues suitable for the transfer of its collection, assessing factors including location, mission, dedication to Jewish values and demonstrated commitment to the highest custodial standards. 

Click on the link below to access the Skirball's website, and read about its current exhibits, including those which focus on the art and artifacts from the Klutznick:
http://huc.edu/research/museums/skirball-museum-cincinnati