The Jewish Museum of the American West
. . . .an ongoing creation of the Western States Jewish History Association, a California 501-3c Non-Profit Corporation.
Now in its 45th year, the Western States Jewish History Association is dedicated to the discovery, collection and dissemination of items and information pertaining to the Pioneer Jews of the American West, – and how and why they were so successful.
The Jewish Museum of the American West will soon consist of Exhibition Halls for each of the regions, states and/or cities west of the Mississippi River that were considered a part of the American West.
Each Exhibition Hall will feature that area’s early Jewish Pioneers and their families, how they got here, and what they were able to accomplish.
Jewish numbers were large – often 3% to 7% in Western settlements - towns and cities – at a time when there was less than 1% of a Jewish population in the entire country!
Theirs is a story of importance for every Jewish Child, every Jewish Adult, and, just as important, for the entire general public.
Theirs is the story of what happened, when a group of people, persecuted for 2,000 years, were let loose in a vast new area – the American Wild West - where no-one cared about their religion – and where they were allowed to do anything they wanted, in order to make a living and raise their families.
The Wooden Beam Across the Top of the Page
Click on these items on the Beam across the Top or one the links below to get started.
Home Page: Clicking on “The Jewish Museum of the American West” on top of each page will always bring you back to this page – which is the entry hall of our museum. Come back here to go to various other parts of our Museum.
About Us: Who we are. Why we are.
Why the Jews: An Essay that explains why the Jewish History in the American Wild West was unique.
Exhibition Halls: Starting with Los Angeles. Other cities and areas to follow soon.
Special Exhibitions: At various times we will add special exhibits that cover many areas at once. Unike brick & mortar museums, these will almost always be able to remain on display in our Virtual Museum.
Our Affiliates: The Jewish Historical Associations that become part of our Virtual Museum, Historians of Western Jewish History, and Libraries that carry volumes of the Western States Jewish History Journal for those who seek further information for research and curiosity.
Events Calendar: There will soon be an ongoing Calendar of Events for travelers who would like to attend Jewish History Events in other areas.
Membership & Donations: This is the only way we support ourselves. We hope you will join us as Members and Subscribers.
Wall of Honor: Those Members and Subscribers who take that “extra step” in supporting our projects.
Contact Us: We need your information, ideas, corrections, and even your family stories.
Technical Note: We suggest you view this site on a regular computer with at least a 12″ screen. We will eventually create the ability to view this on a Phone or Pad. At this early moment, some content may be “out of kilter” with a phone or Pad. Some Android systems work well. Apple products will work – in time.