The jews of maryland at the crossroads of identity [the jewish museum of maryland (JMM) seeks?to heighten critical inquiry into the social forces that shape the jewish experience across maryland…

The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded The Jewish Museum of Maryland, Inc. $450,000 on January 1, 2026, under the Promotion of the Humanities Public Programs (CFDA 45.164) to develop a permanent exhibition titled "The Jews of Maryland at the Crossroads of Identity."

The exhibition, approximately 1,300 square feet, will feature historic artifacts, images, film, and interactive opportunities. It will explore themes including Maryland's hybrid geopolitical location, the role of Maryland Jews in civic change, and the impact of racism and religion on Jewish history in the state, situating these narratives within broader scholarly literature on race, ethnicity, and immigration. The project constitutes part of a larger capital campaign, renovation, and reconceptualization of the museum, building on exhibition innovations that began when the previous permanent exhibition was installed in 2007.

The period of performance runs from January 1, 2026, through January 31, 2028. Place of performance is Maryland. As a permanent exhibition, the installation will remain on view for at least three years, consistent with program requirements for projects that engage general audiences with humanities scholarship through in-person exhibitions.

The jews of maryland at the crossroads of identity [the jewish museum of maryland (JMM) seeks?to heighten critical inquiry into the social forces that shape the jewish experience across maryland with a new permanent exhibition featuring historic artifacts, images, film, and interactive opportunities. Part of a larger capital campaign, renovation, and reconceptualization of the museum, this exhibition will be approximately 1,300SF and will build upon innovations the JMM began when the last long-standing exhibition was installed in 2007.?the jews of maryland at the crossroads of identity will situate this history within broader scholarly literature on race, ethnicity, and immigration and create a compelling visitor experience shaped around themes of maryland?S hybrid geopolitical location, the?role of maryland jews in civic change, and the impact of racism and religion on the successes, challenges, and complexities of jewish history; these themes explore the complicated path from marginalization to inclusion for maryland jews.]