The Temple Judea Museum

07/07/2026

The October 7th Memorial Box Project
The Temple Judea Museum Artists’ Collaborative

We have now marked 1000 days since the tragedy of October 7th 2023. With this devastation ever in our minds the artists of the Temple Judea Museum Collaborative are working on a project to create a permanent memorial in our collection to the hostages of October 7th.
Pictured here are the KI collection of Hostage photographs that were posted in the KI outer lobby until the last living hostage was freed; also pictured here, designed and fabricated by Paula Mandel, is the glass top and Star of David for the custom made box that will hold the hostage photographs along with our artists’ creative responses to the tragedy and the need to never forget. TJM Collaborative Chair, Marlene Adler is overseeing this project and Leon Chudzinski, TJM Curator of Installations is designing and creating the box.
The project will be presented to the congregation at Shabbat services in early October

06/16/2026

Maxine Schwartz assembling a model of the Anne Frank House. A recent gift to the Temple Judea Museum.

06/02/2026

Two photographs to share:

This recent museum purchase is now part of our American Jewish History collection. The photograph shows “Jewish War Veterans of the United States, NY Post 717.” Watch for it to be added to our current America 250 exhibition.
The veterans seem to be in a cemetery, most likely to commemorate the Jewish soldiers who gave their lives in defense of our country.

“Full Victory! Nothing Else!”
This important WWII press photograph is the most recent purchase of the Temple Judea Museum. Widely reproduced in newspapers, books and video, it documents the historic meeting of General Eisenhower with US paratroops immediately before the D-Day landings on June 6th 1044.

05/14/2026

On Tuesday, a mural was installed in memory of the children who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Artist Jane M. Hirsberg — a member of KI, a teacher in the Quest Noar program, and a member of the TJM Artists Collaborative — created the mural, inspired by the poem The Last Butterfly.
Jane shared these thoughts about her mural:
“My painting was created as a tribute to the memory, resilience, and the enduring light of children whose lives were cut short. Inspired by the poem The Last Butterfly, the work moves from darkness to color, from silence to motion, symbolizing the passage from loss toward hope. The silhouetted figures and barren tree reflect absence and grief, while the sunrise, butterflies, and flowers represent renewal and compassion. I painted this imagery to honor those who were lost while offering viewers a space to reflect, mourn, and still believe in the possibility of hope, compassion, and renewal.”

Jane’s husband, Steve, installed the mural on the brick wall of the Memorial Garden with Jane’s assistance. They are truly a wonderful team.

Please take some time to visit the KI Memorial Garden to view Jane’s painting. As you enter through the beautiful butterfly gates created by Doug Heath, also a member of KI and the TJM Artists Collaborative — you are welcomed into a very special space for reflection and meditation. Jane and Doug's artworks contributes so much to the peaceful feeling of the garden, where one can sit quietly, admire the beautiful plants and trees as you and spend time with Jane’s moving mural.

Students from Quest Noar had the honor to be the first students to see Jane's mural. Deb Rosen, director of JQuest and Quest Noar is excited to share this mural with future students as they learn about the Holocaust.

A very special thank you to the Glassman Family for funding the Butterfly Gate and the Holocaust Memory Mural.

Temple Judea Museum

03/27/2026

This week the museum has been busy installing the new exhibition entitled" Shared Legacy: Proclaim Liberty. The opening reception is April 3rd. This week, the museum has been busy installing a new exhibition titled Shared Legacy: Proclaim Liberty. The opening reception will take place on April 3rd.
Leon Chudzinski has been thoughtfully installing the exhibition to reflect Rita Rosen Poley’s vision. Her selections and planning have been in the works over the past year. As the Temple Judea Museum’s director and curator, she continues to bring forward meaningful exhibitions that inspire and share the richness of the museum’s collection.
If you’re planning to attend, come early for historical readings beginning at 4:30 PM. From 5:00–6:30 PM, TJM Artists Collaborative member, Irina Bakis will be performing piano music: From Sea to Shining Sea.
A special thank you to Karen Shain Schloss, our TJM Chair for another wonderful sign for the exhibition!
Here is a sneak preview of the exhibition!

02/26/2026

02/23/2026

Our current exhibition, Woodcut Metamorphosis : A Century of Cultural Struggle as Expressed by Jewish Printmakers.

Leon Chudzinski was our guest curator. A quote from his curator's statement: "As we begin celebrating America 250, I want to emphasize the diverse cultural experiences, struggles, and values that shaped our community and this country. I found a voice in the woodcut collection of TJM and the generosity of KI members who both created and loaned works for this exhibition."

Leon explains the technique of making a woodcut: "Carving the image into the flat wood surface, the artist builds a relationship with, and gains inspiration from, the wood block. The wood’s grain, hardness, cut and species can influence a work with expressive organic patterns sometimes unseen until the image is printed, providing both challenge and revelation for the artist."

IIf you haven’t had a chance to see the exhibition yet, there is still time to visit before it closes on March 25, 2026. We think you’ll especially enjoy it if you’re not familiar with the art of woodcuts — it’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the process and beauty of this medium.