Learn About the Richness of Jewish Heritage and Culture

The Center for Jewish History is comprised of five leading educational, cultural and historical institutions that share a common vision to both preserve and present the richness of Jewish heritage: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

The Center offers specially designed tours that will allow the visitor to view the exhibitions of these distinguished partners as well as enjoy the exhibitions of one of the leading Jewish museums in New York City.

Public Tours

The Center offers free tours to the general public on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. The tours last about 1 1/2 hours and include the galleries of all the Partners except the Yeshiva University Museum (YUM). YUM offers highlight tours to admission-paying visitors most Sundays at 1:30 and 3:00 p.m.

Group Tours

There are two parts to the Center’s tour, each led by a different docent. The length of the tour is approximately 3 hours.

A short orientation film about the Center; followed by a tour of the facilities and exhibitions, the Reading Room, and the Genealogy Institute.
A break for coffee and pastry.
A highlight tour of the Yeshiva University Museum’s art exhibitions.

Group tours are led by trained, experienced docents from the Center and the Yeshiva University Museum.

Optional Offerings

Meet the archivist or librarian*

A free 30-minute session on how to conduct research on family history.
A free 20- to 30-minute talk with an archivist or librarian from one of the partner organizations.

* Please inform us in advance if you would like to schedule a session with the Center Genealogy Institute or a tour with an archivist or librarian.

How to Schedule a Visit and Fee Structure

Julie Kaplan, the Center’s tour coordinator, can be reached Monday through Thursday, between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at (917) 606-8226, or by e-mail at jkaplan@cjh.org.

A group is defined as a minimum of 10 people. Smaller groups may take the Center’s regularly scheduled public tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. (The public tour does not include the Yeshiva University Museum; tickets to the Museum may be purchased separately.)
Groups of 10 people or more: $12 per person, including a coffee break.
Please note that groups of 25 or more will be divided into two or more separate groups with additional tour guides.
A non-refundable $25 deposit is required to reserve your tour. The balance can be paid on the day of your visit at the Fanya Gottesfeld Heller Book Store at the 16th Street lobby. For the balance, we accept cash or a check made out to the Center for Jewish History.

Please Note: You may schedule a tour of the Yeshiva University Museum or the Center for Jewish History only. For a tour of the Center only, at a cost of $6 per person, please call Julie Kaplan at (917) 606-8226, or e-mail jkaplan@cjh.org. For a tour of the Yeshiva University Museum only, please call the Museum directly at (212) 294-8330.

Refreshments

The Date Palm Café, located at the Center, serves Glatt Kosher meals and light fare. A group lunch menu is available. When you book your tour, please mention that you would like to eat lunch at the Center. To place your order, please contact Lisa Lambert at Foremost Caterers at (201) 664-2465.