Jewish Museums – Los Angeles
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Jewish Museums
Los Angeles is a city of abundance, and when it comes to Jewish museums, we are truly blessed. Whether you’re looking to learn more about Jewish history, art, or culture, LA offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Here are a few Jewish museums and exhibits that are well worth a visit.
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
skirball.org
The Skirball Cultural Center is home to one of the largest collections of Jewish ceremonial art and material culture in the world, with over 25,000 pieces in its collection. Its centerpiece, the Visions and Values exhibit, chronicles 4,000 years of Jewish history, concluding with At Home in America, which features a one-third scale replica of the hand and torch from the Statue of Liberty.
For families, the award-winning Noah’s Ark is a must-see. Children can climb, explore, and play in a whimsical recreation of the wooden ark, filled with life-sized animal sculptures made from repurposed materials.
The museum also hosts rotating exhibits, cultural programs, concerts, and classes that highlight Jewish contributions to art, culture, and history.
Looking for a bite? Visit Zeidler’s Café, named in honor of LA restaurateur Marvin Zeidler and food writer Judy Zeidler. This café offers a creative take on Jewish cuisine, blending tradition with modern LA flavors. Be sure to try their smoked salmon pastrami Reuben or the inventive matzo ball ramen!
Holocaust Museum LA
100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036
holocaustmuseumla.org
Founded in 1961, Holocaust Museum LA is the first survivor-founded and oldest Holocaust museum in the United States. It is the only institution in Los Angeles solely dedicated to Holocaust education and remembrance. The museum was established by a group of survivors who, recognizing the importance of preserving their stories and artifacts, created a space to honor their loved ones who perished.
In 2010, the museum found its permanent home in Pan Pacific Park. Its current building, designed by award-winning architect Hagy Belzberg, is itself a work of art. In 2023, the museum broke ground on its Building Truth campaign, which aims to double its footprint and expand its educational reach. The new Jona Goldrich Campus will include:
- A dedicated Learning Center Pavilion with a theater for the USC Shoah Foundation’s Dimensions in Testimony project.
- A 200-seat theater for film screenings, concerts, and public programs.
- Outdoor reflective spaces for contemplation and remembrance.
- New classrooms designed for younger student groups.
- A new Boxcar Pavilion housing an authentic train car from the Majdanek death camp in Poland.
Though construction will continue into 2025, the museum remains open to the public. Admission is always free for students, ensuring that Holocaust education remains accessible to future generations.
Museum of Tolerance
Simon Wiesenthal Plaza, 9786 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
www.museumoftolerance.com
Established in 1993 by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Museum of Tolerance is an immersive, multimedia institution that examines the Holocaust, racism, and prejudice around the world. Its comprehensive exhibit on the Holocaust uses interactive technology to explore the social, political, and economic conditions that led to the rise of Nazi ideology and the persecution of millions.
As the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the museum’s Peltz Social Lab addresses present-day intolerance and racism in the United States. Visitors are encouraged to explore controversial topics and reflect on personal responsibility for promoting social justice and empathy. The lab’s approach is rooted in the ideals of freedom and justice for all.
One of the museum’s standout exhibits is its immersive Anne Frank Experience. This 60-minute narrated tour, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, includes a reproduction of Anne’s diary and a dramatization of her room in the secret annex.
The Museum of Tolerance welcomes over 250,000 visitors annually, with more than half being students. Through its engaging exhibits and educational programming, it aims to inspire visitors to take action against hatred and intolerance.
The Museum of Tolerance welcomes over 250,000 visitors annually, with more than half being students. Through its engaging exhibits and educational programming, it aims to inspire visitors to take action against hatred and intolerance.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
academymuseum.org
In May 2024, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened its first permanent exhibition, Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital. This exhibition explores the origins of filmmaking in early 20th-century Los Angeles and highlights the impact of the predominantly Jewish filmmakers who established the American film studio system, transforming LA into a global epicenter of cinema.
The exhibition is presented in three sections: Studio Origins explores the birth of Hollywood studios. Los Angeles: From Film Frontier to Industry Town, 1902–1929 examines how Los Angeles became the heart of the film industry. From the Shtetl to the Studio: The Jewish Story of Hollywood delves into the personal and professional journeys of Jewish filmmakers and the profound influence they had on Hollywood’s development.
This thoughtfully curated exhibition offers a rich and nuanced look at how Jewish ingenuity helped shape the modern film industry and Los Angeles.
Reagan Library
40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065
reaganfoundation.org
The Reagan Library is currently hosting the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, on display until September 2, 2025. This traveling exhibition from the Israel Antiquities Authority features eight authentic Dead Sea Scrolls and over 200 artifacts from the Second Temple period.
The exhibit showcases how 21st-century technology is revolutionizing the study of these ancient texts. Visitors can discover how advanced imaging techniques, DNA analysis, and artificial intelligence are unlocking new insights about the scrolls and the people who created them.
This exhibit offers a rare opportunity to explore the historical and spiritual significance of one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.
