UNITED STATES COMMISSION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF AMERICA'S HERITAGE ABROAD
The Commission is an independent agency of the U.S. Government which aims to (1) identify and report on cemeteries, monuments, and historic buildings in Eastern and Central Europe that are associated with the heritage of U.S. citizens, particularly endangered properties, and (2) obtain, in cooperation with the Department of State, assurances from the governments of the region that the properties will be protected and preserved.
JEWISH HERITAGE EUROPE
Jewish Heritage Europe offers individual surveys, by country, of the existing Jewish cultural sites and material remains in Europe. The data is collected from new and existing information about museums, archives and historic sites, including Jewish quarters, synagogues, cemeteries and Holocaust sites.
JEWISH HERITAGE UK
Jewish Heritage UK is dedicated to caring for the historic buildings, sites and collections of Britain's Jewish community. The Director is Dr Sharman Kadish who has also been Project Director of the Survey of the Jewish Built Heritage since 1997. The organization's website includes materials from the Survey, as well as news pertaining to Jewish sites in the UK, and information about care, restoration and other concerns of those responsible for the continued protection and effective use of these sites. Jewish Heritage UK also assists in the protection of the material cultural heritage of Jewish communities of the Channel Islands, the Irish Republic and Gibraltar.
The survey maintains a database, but this is not at-present accessible on-line. However, information on many significant Jewish structures is posted. Of special interest are PDF attachments of "Codes of Practice" for recording endangered buildings. While some of this material is specific to the UK, much is applicable in other venues.
ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN JEWISH MUSEUMS
A directory of European Jewish Museums.
EUROPEAN COUNCIL OF JEWISH COMMUNITIES
The European Council of Jewish Communities ("ECJC") is a non government organization (NGO) established as a non-profit association. The ECJC is primarily a facilitator, gathering, evaluating and sharing regional information and techniques capable of assisting individual communities to progress and the organization as a whole to develop. From this process priority community needs are identified particularly those that are under-serviced or not yet catered for. The ECJC pro-actively tries to address these needs as a service to the communities.
CENTER FOR JEWISH HISTORY
The Center for Jewish History is the home of five preeminent Jewish institutions dedicated to history, culture, and art. It unites under one roof collections that bring together centuries of Jewish life. It is comprised of:
The American Jewish Historical Society - http://www.ajhs.org/
The American Sephardi Federation - http://www.americansephardifederation.org/
The Leo Baeck Institute - http://www.lbi.org/
The YeshivaUniversity Museum - http://www.yumuseum.org/
The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research - http://www.yivoinstitute.org/
Project Yesod is designed to enhance scholarly research, increase public awareness, and encourage official protection and involvement of Jewish and associated local communities in the study and public presentation of Jewish archaeological sites in Europe, particularly the buried remains of historic Jewish Quarters and settlements.
Here you will find the complete contents of the 12-volume Jewish Encyclopedia, which was originally published between 1901-1906. This online version contains the unedited contents of the original encyclopedia. Since the original work was completed almost 100 years ago, it does not cover a significant portion of modern Jewish History (e.g., the creation of Israel, the Holocaust, etc.). However, it does contain an incredible amount of information that is remarkably relevant today.
THE CENTER FOR JEWISH ART
The Center for Jewish Art is the world's foremost institution dedicated to the preservation of the Jewish artistic heritage. Activities include documentation, research, education and publishing. The CJA's major project is the Jerusalem Index of Jewish Art, an iconographical Jewish art database.
JEWISH FUNERALS, BURIAL, AND MOURNING
This site is published by Kavod v'Nichum & the Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington.
Kavod v'Nichum is an organization that seeks to restore to Jewish death and bereavement practice, the traditions and values of honoring the dead (kavod hamet) and comforting the bereaved (nichum avelim).
The Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington came into existence in 1976 to take Jewish funerals out of ordinary commerce and restore them to a sacred and meaningful mitzvah performed by congregations and other religious communities.
FOUNDATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF JEWISH HERITAGE IN POLAND
Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland was established by the Union of Jewish Communities in Poland and the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO). Their mission is to protect and commemorate the surviving monuments of Jewish cultural heritage in Poland.
WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS
The World Jewish Congress is an international organization whose mission is to address the interests and needs of Jews and Jewish communities throughout the world. Founded in Geneva in 1936 to unite the Jewish people and mobilize the world against the Nazi onslaught, the WJC is the representative body of Jewish communities and organizations in over 80 countries from Argentina to Zimbabwe across six continents. It seeks to foster the unity and creative survival of the Jewish people while maintaining its spiritual, cultural and social heritage.
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE
The American Jewish Committee has worked since 1906 to safeguard and strengthen Jews and Jewish life worldwide by promoting democratic and pluralistic societies that respect the dignity of all peoples.
AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE
Since 1914, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc. (JDC) has served as the overseas arm of the American Jewish community. Their mission is to serve the needs of Jews throughout the world, particularly where their lives as Jews are threatened or made more difficult. They sponsor programs of relief, rescue and renewal and help Israel address its most urgent social challenges. They are committed to the idea that all Jews are responsible for one another.
AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS
The American Jewish Congress is an association of Jewish Americans organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad through public policy advocacy - using diplomacy, legislation, and the courts.
THE COMMISSION FOR COMMEMORATING 350 YEARS OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY
The Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History is a collaborative project involving The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, The American Jewish Historical Society, The Library of Congress, and the National Archives & Records Administration. The Commission exists to generate and support activities that will advance the understanding of the American Jewish Experience as it marks this significant anniversary.
Spertus invites people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the multifaceted Jewish experience. Through its innovative public programming, exhibitions, collections, research facilities and degree programs, Spertus inspires learning, serves diverse communities and fosters understanding for Jews and people of all faiths, in Chicago, the Midwest, and around the world.
As the largest volunteer organization and the largest women's organization in America, Hadassah is committed to strengthening the unity of the Jewish people. In Israel, they accomplish this through progressive healthcare, education, youth institutions, volunteerism, and land reclamation. In the U.S. they reach their goals through Jewish and Zionist education programs, Zionist Youth programs, and health awareness programs, as well as by advocating for issues of importance to women and to the American Jewish community.
FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CULTURE
The Foundation for Jewish Culture (FJC) invests in creative individuals in order to nurture a vibrant and enduring Jewish identity, culture and community. This goal is achieved through the provision of grants, recognition awards, networking opportunities and professional development services to artists and scholars. They collaborate with cultural institutions, Jewish organizations, consortia, and funders to support the work of these creative individuals. The Foundation also educates and builds audiences to provide meaningful Jewish cultural experiences to the American public, and advocates for the importance of Jewish culture as a core component of Jewish life.
UNITED JEWISH COMMUNITIES
United Jewish Communities represents and serves 155 Jewish federations and 400 independent Jewish communities across North America. It reflects the values of social justice and human rights that define the Jewish people.
ELDRIDGE STREET PROJECT
The Museum at Eldridge Street, founded as the Eldridge Street Project in 1986, presents the culture, history and traditions of the great wave of Jewish immigrants to the Lower East Side, drawing parallels with the diverse cultural communities that have settled in America. The Museum is located within the Eldridge Street Synagogue, which opened its doors in 1887.
JEWISH MUSEUM NEW YORK
The Jewish Museum is devoted exclusively to the scope and diversity of 4,000 years of art and Jewish culture.
MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
Created as a living memorial to those who perished during the Holocaust, our Museum honors those who died by celebrating their lives - cherishing the traditions that they embraced, examining their achievements and faith, and affirming the vibrant worldwide Jewish community that is their legacy today.
SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER
the Skirball Cultural Center has established itself as one of the world's most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions, and among the most prominent cultural venues in the United States. Its mission is to explore the connections between four thousand years of Jewish heritage and the vitality of American democratic ideals.
UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States HolocaustMemorial Museum stimulates leaders and citizens to confront hatred, prevent genocide, promote human dignity, and strengthen democracy. A public-private partnership, federal support guarantees the Museum’s permanence, and donors nationwide make possible its educational activities and global outreach.
ASSOCIATION FOR JEWISH STUDIES
Founded in 1969, the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS) is a learned society and professional organization that seeks to promote, maintain, and improve teaching and research in Jewish Studies at colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning.
HEBREW UNION COLLEGE - JEWISH INSTITUTE OF RELIGION
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the intellectual, academic, spiritual, and professional leadership development center of Reform Judaism.
THE JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) is the academic and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism worldwide, encompassing a world-class library and five schools, including the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies, The Graduate School, William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education, The Rabbinical School, and the H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music.
JEWISH VIRTUAL LIBRARY
The Jewish Virtual Library is the most comprehensive online Jewish encyclopedia in the world, covering everything from anti-Semitism to Zionism.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - DOROT JEWISH DIVISION
The Dorot Jewish Division is one of the great collections of Judaica in the world and the most accessible for both scholarly and personal use. While the collection offers commentary on all aspects of Jewish life it also includes Hebrew and Yiddish-language texts on general subjects.
JewishGen: The Home of Jewish Genealogy provides a wide range of resources including databases, familyfinder, articles, societies, projects and discussion groups.
SYNAGOGA SLOVACA: GATEWAY TO SLOVAK JEWISH HERITAGE
The project began in 2001 as Synagoga Slovaca, a project aimed at documenting the scores of synagogues, many of them in ruinous condition, that are scattered around Slovakia. They are developing this online resource in order to provide information about their research activities, including documentation and on-site monitoring. Their major goals are to promote Slovak Jewish heritage to the scientific community as well as to serve the general public.