A Letter from James S. Snyder, Helen Goldsmith Menschel Director
Dear Friends:
As I begin my new position as the Helen Goldsmith Menschel Director of the Jewish Museum, my enthusiasm only grows — and even more so against the backdrop of all of the challenges swirling around us. From the start, taking on this role presented itself as a mission — a personal and professional and moral imperative — since this is exactly the moment for the Jewish Museum to build upon its legacy of achievement in New York, nationally, and internationally.
I have been exploring the evolving role of museums in general and Jewish museums in particular well in advance of the tragic events of October 7 and their aftermath, which have changed our world in unimaginable ways. Hamas’ brutal attack against Israeli citizens and the taking of hostages reminds us that we all need to stand together against terrorism.
The Museum holds a singular place in the cultural world as a leading art museum that explores Jewish identity throughout history and across our global diaspora. As I begin my work together with the Museum’s Board, professional team, and devoted constituents on our vision for the future, we will expand our position as a resource for engagement, education, and action and as a forum for dialogue about today’s complexities. This can and will happen now, demonstrating the growing relevance today of our Museum and of all museums. Going forward, the Museum’s focus on how Jewish identity has informed and been informed by other cultures over time and around the world also takes on that much greater meaning.
For the Jewish Museum community and its family of committed friends, our only choice now is to seize this moment of challenge as a time to plan and realize a path to a brighter future and to find restorative pathways to the humanism that is the essence of our being. At the same time, our hearts are with those who have lost loved ones and the hostages and their families, as well as with the innocent Israelis and Palestinians who are caught in the crosshairs of this war.
Wishing all of us vitality and strength and peace and looking forward to working together to achieve these goals,
James S. Snyder, Helen Goldsmith Menschel Director
