Answers to questions regarding access and use of the survivor testimony in the Museum's collection.
Please note: due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to accommodate in-person appointments except on highly limited basis. Write to collections@mjhnyc.org for more information or to begin the donation process.
How do I access a recorded testimony?
The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust houses eight oral history collections containing over 3,800 oral history interviews. Each collection has different conditions governing access.
For family members:
If your family member’s testimony is held within Museum of Jewish Heritage oral history collections – the Center for Holocaust Studies colletion, the Revson collection, the GI collection, or the City of Refuge, Goldman, Kippur, Resistance, and Senesh collections – be in touch with us.
Please contact collections@mjhnyc.org with the subject line Family Oral History Request, and provide the name(s) of the interviewee(s) and your relation to them. We will provide a personal use copy of the digital audio or video file(s) for direct download to your computer at no cost. Because collections are in the process of digitization, some interviews may have a delay of several months.
Note that these files are for personal use only. Permission is required for further distribution.
For researchers:
Contact collections@mjhnyc.org with the subject line Researcher Oral History Request, and provide the name(s) of the interviewee(s) and a description of your research project. Whenever possible, remote access will be provided via an online platform. If staffing permits, access will be provided in-person for collections that are not digitized.
Please note that collections are in the process of digitization. Some collections are not accessible and others may have a delay of several months.
For those wishing to use video testimony in film, television, etc.:
Contact collections@mjhnyc.org with the subject line Licensing Request and a description of the material you are interested in licensing. Note that some interviews are restricted from commercial use or may be subject to licensing and reproduction fees.
How do I access the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimony at the Museum?
The Museum of Jewish Heritage is an access point for the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimony, which contains over 4,400 oral history interviews with Holocaust survivors, liberators, rescuers and other experiene groups. This resource is available onsite while connected to the Museum’s public Wi-Fi via your own laptop, tablet or other mobile device.
If your family member’s testimony is part of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimony, please contact them directly for special access.
How do I access the USC Shoah Foundation Visual History Archive at the Museum?
The Museum of Jewish Heritage is an access point for the USC Shoah Foundation Visual History Archive, which contains over 50,000 oral history interviews with Holocaust survivors and other victims of genocide. This resource is available onsite while connected to the Museum’s public Wi-Fi via your own laptop, tablet or other mobile device.
If your family member’s testimony is part of the USC Shoah Foundation Visual History Archive, please contact them directly for special access.