Tomorrow, exactly 180 days after the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust closed in March to combat COVID-19, we are reopening the building to visitors: first, to Museum members on September 9 and 10, and after that to the general public. Jack Kliger, President & CEO of the Museum, noted that 18 (and multiples of it) is an important number in Judaism, being considered synonymous with the Hebrew word ‘chai,’ which means life.
Though the Museum will be a little different than before when we reopen – all visitors must reserve tickets in advance, galleries will only be at 25% capacity, everyone in the Museum must wear masks over their noses and mouths – we have worked hard to make sure it is safe for all visitors and staff and to make our guests feel welcome. We will be open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 10 AM – 5 PM in our initial reopening phase.
Upon announcing in August that indoor museums in New York City could reopen, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said, “New York City’s world-class cultural institutions have long provided comfort and creativity for generations of people in one of the world’s most vibrant places, and when the COVID-19 pandemic began to threaten the city and this nation, it was especially heartbreaking to see them close their doors.” We agree wholeheartedly with the governor. We are so glad to be part of the fabric of New York City, and we are so pleased to welcome visitors through our doors again.
