The Mishkan Or Museum houses one of the finest collections of Jewish ritual objects in the USA, supported by a collection of modern and contemporary fine art focusing on Jewish subjects. The Museum houses over 2,500 objects that span 500 years of Jewish cultures from all over the world.
Our Judaica masterpieces include a rare, decorated 1551 marriage contract (ketubah) from the Cairo Geniza in Egypt, an exceptional group of 8 Torah Ark curtains from 18th-19th centuries’ Europe and the Middle East, a unique 1856 miniature silver Torah ark from Ukraine among many others. The excellence of our collection has been recognized recently by the Cleveland Museum of Art that elected to borrow objects from us to enrich their display, including the extremely high-profile exhibition “Africa and Byzantium” that was conceived in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
The collection of fine art includes works by acclaimed artists Marc Chagall, Andy Warhol, Jacques Lipshitz and Izidor Kaufman. The collection also includes works by Arthur Szyk, an extraordinary Polish American graphic artist renowned for his anti-Nazi caricatures and book art. Mishkan Or’s Jack and Lilyan Mandel Building is the home of the Szyk memorial windows from 1947.
The Museum’s exhibition spaces are divided between the Mishkan Or building that houses the Hartzmark Gallery for temporary exhibits and The Judaica Gallery at the Maltz Museum. The Museum stages two exhibitions per year in the Hartzmark Gallery and programs the Chapel Corridor as an exhibition platform for Mishkan Or community and local artists.
The collection on display is regularly rotated. Specialized storage on- and off-site houses museum objects and art not on view. The objects are catalogued through up-to-date collection management software with a future goal of providing open digital access.
The Mishkan Or Museum (formerly Temple Museum of Jewish Art, Religion and Culture) is among the oldest synagogal museums in the USA. It was established by Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver in 1950 to celebrate Jewish material culture, elevate the everyday ritual experience and educate the congregation. From the onset Rabbi Silver included modern art, realizing the importance of up-to-date aesthetic expression for a truly deep congregational life. Over time the collection grew through dedicated purchases initiated by the Museum Committee as well as through donations. In 2024, with The Temple-Tifereth Israel and Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple congregations’ merger, the Museum received the exquisite Olyn and Joseph B. Horwitz collection of Judaica which furthers its position of excellence on the national and international scene of Jewish cultural institutions.
The original Museum location was The Temple-Tifereth Israel building in University Circle, currently the Maltz Performing Arts Centre. The Museum moved to Beachwood in 2006 when our Judaica Gallery at the Maltz Museum opened its doors to the public. The Hartzmark Gallery for temporary exhibits was added in 2016.
The Museum operates according to an established policy through a dedicated staff member, the Museum Director, aided by the Museum Committee. The Committee members engage in a variety of activities including the accession of objects, research, hands-on help, organization of tours and programming.
The Olyn and Joseph B. Horwitz collection of Judaica – October 2024-August 2025
“From Israel. Now” dedicated to contemporary art reflecting October 7 and its aftermath
“The Story of Exodus: 24 Lithographs by Marc Chagall“
“Maps of Hope and Despair” showcasing textiles by Judith Weinshall Liberman
“Andy Warhol’s Jewish Icons: 10 Portraits”
“Violins and Hope: From the Holocaust to Symphony Hall” showcasing photographs by Daniel Levin.
Andy Warhol, “Franz Kafka”, 1980, #2022.1, gift of Joel L. Saltzman and a gift in memory of Leslie Wolf by his family
For members of Mishkan Or:
Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 4:30pm
Sunday: 9:00am – 3:30pm
For the general public:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday: 10:00am – 5:00pm by appointment and Sundays by appointment
Tuesdays through Sundays: 11:00am – 5:00pm
(Free access for members of Mishkan Or)
2929 Richmond Rd. Beachwood, OH 44122
Katya Oicherman, Museum Director
Email: KOicherman@mishkanor.org
Telephone: (216) 455-1697
Miniature Torah Ark, 1859, Ukraine, #1955.1, Hilda Marian Stone Memorial Fund
Torah case, 1890s, Iraq, #1963.4, Temple Museum of Religious Art Fund
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