| In addition to speaking at the Museum, Dr. Reisman will present a video of his journey.
Dr. Reisman, who "carried" the proclamation on its space voyage, will return the document to its owner, the Jewish Museum of Florida, which will in turn present it to the National Museum of American Jewish History on behalf of JAHM. It will be displayed at the Museum, which opens November 14. 
The proclamation traveled in mid-May with Dr. Reisman aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. "Dr. Reisman's trip reminds us of the aspirations of millions of Jews who have made arduous journeys over countless miles for the promise of American freedom," said Museum President and CEO Michael Rosenzweig.
"The shuttle flight is a compelling example of what Americans have been able to achieve, given the extraordinary freedoms provided by our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. The promise of these freedoms has brought Jews and people from all backgrounds and religions to America," he continued.
"On behalf of the National Museum of American Jewish History and in recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month, we will proudly display the proclamation that Garrett Reisman carried into space."
May was first proclaimed Jewish American Heritage Month by President George W. Bush on April 20, 2006. The announcement was the crowning achievement of an effort by the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Florida Jewish community leaders that resulted in resolutions introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) urging the president to proclaim a month that would recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. The resolutions passed unanimously.
The JAHM Coalition was formed in March 2007 and convened by United Jewish Communities (now The Jewish Federations of North America), The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives (AJA), the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) and the Jewish Museum of Florida. The JAHM Coalition is composed of major national Jewish historical and cultural organizations including the National Museum of American Jewish History, AJA, AJHS, the Council of American Jewish Museums, the Jewish Historical Society of Washington, D.C. and the Jewish Women's Archive.
The National Museum of American Jewish History is the only major museum in the nation dedicated solely to telling the story of Jews in America.
A Smithsonian Affiliate, the Museum will move into a $150 million building located in the heart of historic Philadelphia, one-half block from the 15,000-square-foot location it has occupied since opening in 1976. It will stand directly across from the Liberty Bell, one block south of the National Constitution Center and one block north of Independence Hall. The new five-story, 100,000-square-foot building was designed by internationally renowned architect James Stewart Polshek, design counsel to Ennead Architects (formerly Polshek Partnership).
Encompassing 25,000 square feet of gallery space on three-and-a-half floors, the core exhibition will explore the challenges faced by Jews since their arrival on this continent in 1654, celebrating their experiences in every facet of American life and throughout every phase of the country's history. Featuring more than 1,000 artifacts, as well as films and state-of-the-art technology, the exhibition will showcase how an immigrant population flourished under freedom and will highlight the diverse backgrounds and experiences of Jews over a period of more than |
