[BCMA] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - A New Vision for the Jewish Museum & Archives of British Columbia

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 18, 2010

 

A NEW VISION FOR THE JEWISH MUSEUM 

 

As it approaches the fortieth anniversary of its founding, the Jewish
Historical Society of British Columbia announces some significant
changes in its vision for the Jewish Museum and Archives of British
Columbia.

 

For almost four years, while continuing to offer its broad range of
educational and outreach programs in the community, the Jewish
Historical Society of BC has also operated a physical museum on the
third floor of the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (950 W.
41st Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2N7).  The board of the Society has now
determined that operating and paying for the space currently occupied by
the Jewish Museum is not only economically unfeasible but is also out of
step with the realities of how to most effectively reach students and
members of the public to enrich their understanding of the Jewish
experience in British Columbia.

 

Over the past year, through a Federal grant to enable the redevelopment
of Jewish Museum and Archives website (www.jewishmuseum.ca), the Jewish
Historical Society of BC has created a valuable online archive of
community history, featuring videos, photographs, artifacts and audio
clips.   The Society has concluded that given its limited financial
resources it would be more useful to devote its funds and energy to
further developing this website with the ultimate goal of developing a
virtual museum of BC Jewish history.

 

In addition, the Jewish Historical Society plans to expand its current
program of displaying artifacts, documents and photographs from its
collections in mini-exhibits at various locations throughout the
province.  This will enable the Society to more effectively implement
its mandate to bring the story of the Jews of British Columbia to a wide
variety of audiences in different communities.

 

Although the museum gallery in the Jewish Community Centre will close,
the Jewish Historical Society will continue to operate its active
program of educational and outreach activities from a new, smaller
headquarters in a convenient location in Vancouver.  The new location
will be announced early in 2011.

 

The Jewish Historical Society of BC will also continue to operate the
Nemetz Jewish Community Archives, a vast and growing repository of
documents and photographs pertaining to the history of Jewish families
and organizations in British Columbia. Through the generosity of the
Dayson family, virtually rent-free archival processing and storage space
has been secured in Richmond.  Researchers will continue to be able to
arrange to consult these archival materials at the Society's
headquarters in Vancouver. 

 

The core exhibition and temporary exhibit galleries of the Jewish Museum
& Archives will be open to the public until Thursday, December 2, 2010.
Visiting hours are Sundays from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm and Mondays through
Thursdays from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Admission is by donation.

 

For more information, please contact info at jewishmuseum.ca or call
(604)257-5199.

 

 

 

Molly Winston

Education Coordinator

The Jewish Museum & Archives of British Columbia

300-950 W. 41st Avenue

Vancouver, BC V5Z 2N7

(604) 638-7288

 

 

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