Council of American Jewish Museums
In This Issue
White House Event
Canadian Conference
Koffler Benefactors
CAJM 2011
      Keep Learning 

You will find lots of information about skills development, conferences and Continuing Education
opportunities at www.cajm.net. Take a look.  And we'll hope to see many of you this month at AAM in LA.


On that subject: 
AAM-Where Ideas Live

There's still time to register for the AAM Annual Meeting & Expo in Los Angeles.  From May 23-26, join
colleagues from across the U.S. and 50 countries for three and a half days of thought-provoking sessions, special events, and chances to network.

This year's theme, Museums Without Borders, explores the connections between cultures from around the world and in our own backyards.
Visit us all over
 Justein Museum
(Justein Heritage Museum
at Baycrest, Toronto)

or visit us at
www.cajm.net
What We Do

... Strengthen the
Jewish-museum field in North America ... ...
train museum staff
and volunteers ...
exchange information
... advocate on behalf of Jewish museums    like this one ...
Sherwin Miller
(Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art - Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Meet new
colleagues
& grow
your skills:
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Best wishes for Shavuot!
E-News | May 2010
JAHM Reception at the White House
On Thursday, May 27, President Barack OWhite Housebama and First Lady Michelle Obama will host the first ever White House reception in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, and several CAJM members will be in attendance.  CAJM is a partner in the Jewish American Heritage Month Coalition.  Event invitees include a range of community leaders and prominent Jewish Americans, from Olympians and other athletes to members of Congress, busiJAHM Logoness leaders, scholars, veterans and astronauts.  Read President Obama's proclamation calling upon all Americans to participate in the nationwide JAHM activities.  Jewish astronaut Garrett Reisman also made history on May 14 when he carried President Bush's original 2006 proclamation establishing Jewish American Heritage Month to the International Space Station aboard the shuttle Atlantis.  When the shuttle returns, Reisman will turn the document over to the National Museum of American Jewish History, where it will be proudly displayed.   
Jewish Archives & Museums of Canada
For the first time, the Association of Canadian Jewish Archives and Museums (ACJAM) will assemble for a mini-conference.  The event is scheduled for June 1-2, as part of the annual conference of the Association of Canadian Jewish Studies.  Canada synagogue dedicationThe gathering of Canadian Jewish archivists, museum directors, and heritage professionals from coast to coast will take place at Concordia University in Montreal.  It will be an opportunity for members to share experiences, knowledge and visions, review current individual priorities, and set and think about association- wide goals. (Above: 1919 dedication of the new synagogue, Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Courtesy: Joseph Rabin Library and Archives)
Major Gift to the Koffler
Toronto's Koffler Centre of the Arts has received a historic $20 million gift for a newly designed contemporary arts center to be located on the UJA's Sherman Campus.  This extraordinary gift comes from benefactors Murray and Marvelle Koffler, leading Canadian philanthropists and community leaders, and their family.  Mr. Koffler is the Founder of Shoppers Drug Mart and Co-Founder of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.  According to Executive Director Lori Starr, through the Koffler family's
Koffler 5-10 
generosity the institution will "enter a new era celebrating a global artistic perspective in an incredible new facility." The expanded Koffler Centre will include museum-standard exhibition galleries and support areas; dance, music, visual and digital arts studios; performance and presentation spaces; and a bookstore and café. The gift represents half of the $40 million overall Koffler Centre campaign goal.
Conference Planning Underway
The 2011 CAJM Conference Program Committee recently convened its first meeting, and 35 colleagues from across the country are actively involved in the planning. The Conference Co-Chairs and Host Chair spent two days in Philadelphia on site visits investigating the most exciting and stimulating possibilities for the February 27-March 1 event. Look for more info in future e-news.