About the Collection

The Museum's collection serves as the basis for educational exhibitions, programs, and publications. We collect materials related to individuals, families, and communities to illustrate the diversity of Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust. To strengthen the connection between individual stories and the history of the Jewish people, we collect photographs and artifacts which document the history of our donors.

We collect materials that:

  • were used from the mid-19th century to the present.
  • broadly relate to the history of Jewish immigration into and settlement in the United States and the Americas.
  • are artifacts, photographs or books used worldwide by Jews for either religious or secular purposes.
  • relate to Jews, such as anti-Semitica or philo-Semitica.
  • are Nazi and collaborationist material necessary for education about the Holocaust.
  • communicate the story of non-Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

We do not collect the following materials:

  • duplicates of items already in the collection in sufficient number.
  • items which are too large to display in our space.
  • materials which cannot be used for exhibition or public education.
  • non-original materials excluding some photographic material.
  • Holocaust commemorative art.
  • fine art, with the following exceptions: art created by Jews or other Holocaust victims under the Nazis or other Axis powers; art created by survivors in the immediate post-Holocaust period which serves as documentation.

The Museum will accept any Nazi materials offered to it, under the following conditions:

Material needed for display will be accessioned into our permanent collection. If the Museum does not need the material for its collections, it will offer it to such other institutions that the Museum deems reliable repositories for such materials, or it will otherwise dispose of the material as it sees fit. Such other repositories must agree that the material will only be used for educational purposes, and that it will not find its way back into general circulation.


Frequently Asked Questions About the Museum

How can I submit a comment or question about the Online Collection?

Send an email with your comment or question to our Collections department at collections@mjhnyc.org.

How can I donate an artifact to the Museum?

Please contact Esther Brumberg, Senior Curator of Collections, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Edmond J. Safra Plaza, 36 Battery Place, New York, NY 10280. Telephone: 646.437.4248; email: ebrumberg@mjhnyc.org

May I take a tax deduction for an artifact donation?

Talk to your financial advisor about tax deductions for artifact donations. You will receive a thank you letter and a deed of gift showing transfer of ownership of the artifact from you to the Museum, and the museum will make the material available to your appraiser.

Will my donation go on display?

The Museum only accepts material for exhibition. If we think a piece will not be displayed, we refer donors to another institution. However, we cannot promise how soon a piece will go on exhibit.

How will I know if something I donated is on display?

We contact the donor to let him/her know when the item is on display. In return, we ask that you let us know if you move so that we will have current contact information on file.

Will my name appear with my donation?

Only if you wish. Donors are credited on artifact labels unless they request to remain anonymous.

What happens to materials which are not on display?

Collections materials not on display are housed in an offsite, secure climate-controlled environment.

Why should I consider donating to the collection?

Donating original material to the Museum will give you a chance to share your family's and community's stories with a wide visitorship. The Museum has the facilities and expertise to store a fragile artifact under safe and environmentally optimum conditions, so that its life – and impact to the community and to history – is maximized. Additionally, your artifact may appear on this website, so you can view it at any time.

How can I support the collection?

To make a financial contribution towards enhancing the Museum's collection contact our Development department at 646.437.4320 or development@mjhnyc.org.

How can I purchase or rent photographic materials from the Museum?

Requests must be made in writing by email, fax or mail to:

Office of the Registrar

Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust

Edmond J. Safra Plaza

36 Battery Place

New York, NY 101280

Fax: 646.437.4372

eblumenfeld@mjhnyc.org


Requests should contain the following information.

Contact Information:

  • name of requestor and/or contact name, if different from yourself
  • contact mailing address
  • contact phone and fax number
  • contact email
  • contact institutional affiliation

Image information:

  • title
  • museum of Jewish Heritage accession number if known
  • format: color or black-and-white
  • intended use

Publication information:

  • author
  • title
  • publisher
  • intended date of publication
  • languages of publication
  • distribution (i.e. North American, worldwide, etc.)
  • publication format (i.e. print, electronic, broadcast, etc.)
  • anticipated print run

Requests submitted with missing or incorrect information will incur delays.

How can I request a photograph of an image from the Museum's collection which is not available online?

Requests for new photography are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Additional fees may apply.

Office of the Registrar

Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust

Edmond J. Safra Plaza

36 Battery Place

New York, NY 101280

Fax: 646-437-4372

eblumenfeld@mjhnyc.org

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