The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is one step closer to becoming the only museum within the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to the stories of Jewish Americans.
On Wednesday, President Biden signed a bill aimed at studying the potential transfer of the museum to the Smithsonian Institution.
The legislation unanimously passed the Senate on December 3.
In a conversation on December 5 with The Jerusalem Post, Philip Darivoff, Weitzman’s chair emeritus, called Biden a "great friend" of the Weitzman museum who spoke at the museum's opening in 2010 when he was the vice president.
Darivoff said he couldn't imagine that Biden wouldn't sign the legislation.
'Vital role in educating next generation'
Now signed, the bill will create an eight-member commission, which will write a report to Congress with a recommendation on whether the Weitzman should be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution.
Details of the report will include museum collections and the museum’s impact on educational and governmental efforts to study and counter antisemitism.
"We've pushed for this commission because we believe the mission of the museum would be significantly elevated and enhanced by becoming part of the Smithsonian, and truly the nation's museum of American Jewish history," Darivoff said. "Now, we see ourselves as the only museum telling the full story of Jews in America, explaining to our visitors who Jews are and how Jews have contributed to our country and our society, and we think that is an urgent mission today."
For example, the museum has a curriculum initiative implemented in and around Philadelphia as well as some school districts in California in which it teaches unique characteristics of Jews and some of the contributions that Jews have made. Students then come into the museum and see the exhibits and artifacts that are highlighted in the curriculum.
Though Darivoff noted the museum's ability and power to educate outside of its four walls is much greater than it is inside of the museum with the technology and tools available today.
"Being the Smithsonian Museum of American Jewish history, I think will make teachers, educators, school administrators, much more open to embracing the materials that we have to offer them," he said.
Incorporating this museum as part of the Smithsonian sends a message to everyone in the Jewish community, and to everyone in the county, that this is the nation's museum and is not just an independent museum in Philadelphia, according to Darivoff.
"It's a critical boost to our standing in the country. More important than anything is the message it sends to all Americans that this is not just a museum about Jews for Jews," he said. "It is a museum for all Americans to come and learn about the Jewish people, how we are in many ways, so similar to others, and what makes us unique and what makes us distinctive."
The bipartisan legislation, introduced in Congress by US Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Mike Turner (R-OH), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), and Max Miller (R-OH), passed the House in September.
“Education about the Jewish American community is a critical tool in the fight against hate, and there is no better place for that learning than the Weitzman,” Wasserman Shultz said in a statement on Wednesday. “I am proud to champion this legislation and am thrilled to see it reach the President’s desk.”
Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), who led the bill in the Senate, said in a statement that the Weitzman Museum is “playing a vital role in educating the next generation about the contributions Jewish Americans have made to our Nation and stemming the tide of hate.”
Integrating the Weitzman with the Smithsonian will cement the museum’s place as one of America’s essential institutions, Casey added.