Reviews of The Jewish Museum (Museum)

Gerry Gan

Fantastic venue. Leonard Cohen exhibit is superb! Regular exhibits are quite good too.

Patricia Yamada

Always an interesting visit

Michael Liebman

The redone permanent collection exhibit may be more modern and allow you to see more variety from the collection, but it is far less interesting and engaging than the old exhibit.

Robin Schwartz

I am in NYC for the week looking for activities for my kids and find the Jewish Museum had a workshop for kids from 1-4 based on an exhibit. It even suggested a RSVP. It was not really a workshop, more like a drop-in activity. It was extremely misleading. My 7 year old was fairly entertained. My 10 year old, bored out of his mind. When he tried to talk to the teacher she clearly was not going to take this activity to a developmentally appropriate level. A few kids around his age came in and were all equally bored. The kids room was fun for my 7 year old. The exhibits themselves were thin except for the clothing exhibit on the 1st floor. That was exceptional, hence the 1 star. Friendly staff.

Nitsat Hadas Elami

We visited for the Leonard Cohen exhibit which was amazing.

Jamie Lai

The Leonard Cohen exhibit is great. Space is clean and well managed. Some of the museum staff is friendly, some are not. There's a Russ & Daughters cafe/market in the basement.

Susana Zilberstein

The place is great. The exhibitions are good too

Lisa J Slade

Love their displays and just saw the Leonard Cohen exhibit- just fabulous!!

Jeffrey Livingston

The Leonard Cohen exhibition was all I hoped for, mysterious, poetic, wistful but also with some humour. It isn't so much a biography, it centres on his music, poems and performances, so plenty of music in an atmospheric setting, loved it.

Andrew Ranum

Lenard Cohen exhibit is great

Gloria Appleby

Great Leonard Cohen exhibit. Russ and Daughters restaurant on premises crowded.Everything delicious but expensive.

Jared Olmsted

That Leonard Cohen exhibit plus Russ & Daughters combo? Get outta here... Top notch.

Hilary Avalon

So cool! I wish I could say more about the permanent exhibits, which I'm sure are wonderful, but we were overwhelmed with the Leonard Cohen exhibition! Now through September 8th!

Steve Kaplan

Great again. Leonard Cohen fantastic

itamar svisa

There is very nice art that made by Jewish artist (Sach as Marc Shagal). The picture from the thread floor, about Jewish art.

Jan Wencel

Great museum. Their environment & collection offer contemplation time.

Matthew Stromer

$18 for a one man show is a bit much. What happened to all other exhibits?

Adelaide Harris

had a really great time but got admonished multiple times for not doing things that no one told me to do, like wearing a sticker or checking my coat, both of which i was reprimanded for an hour into my visit?

David Langdon

When me and a friend of mine went only one of the floors were available, and the deli downstairs was reservation only on Shabbat, (which is such a shame because we heard great stuff about it☹️ ) but the floor that was available was very enjoyable.

Amalia Anderson

Excellent exhibit on Edith Halpert, illustrated her significance to American art

Behdad Esfahbod

Nice Leonard Coffee exhibit.

Boris Mizhen

Saw a nice exhibit of Kandinsky and Malevich Vitebsk period.

Ella Yakubova

I never had such a bad time in museum! First floor was very political! We don’t expect museum work for propaganda!

Chaim Shultz

Very touching museum; close to my heart. They may not have the biggest display of Jewish artifacts but the museum is close to home and has a significant enough collection.

מיכל אביאור

Amazing Leonard Cohen exhibition! Beautiful & touches your soul. We went on shabbat (Saturday) when its free but not suitable if you're "frum" so i came back on Sunday. Came early & was empty. Saturday was packed!!

Gary Sweers

Leonard Cohen exhibition was fabulous

Esteban Alonso Ramírez

An amazing collection, a most beautiful place. The building itself is wonderful, let alone how carefully curated is the collection. I spent most of my visit on the Leonard Cohen Exhibit, "A crack in Everything", which is among my most valued museum experiences ever. The gifth shop is amazing - and everyone was so kind! A must-see in NYC.

Richard Strother

Fabulous Kosher food. Whitefish, Lachs, salmon, bagel, Borscht.

Steve Blake

An incredible museum! We had a great time there. It contains art from many time periods and of a variety of art forms. We were also pleasantly surprised that they have some suggestions for what to do with kids, and it included some tasks and drawings that children can recreate throughout the museum.

Arye Green

A living testimony to the bond between Israel and those that love the Jewish people

Sergey Sedyh

Come at Saturday. It is free admission on that day. But there is nothing to see here even than

Ruthanne Harrison

The Leonard Cohen exhibition was mesmerizing!

Linda V

Chagall exhibit was good but the museum experience was awful. Guards patrolling every room to make sure our jackets didn't touch anything. We were stopped about 6 times by really grim guards, and as adult museum goers we already know not to fling our clothes around. It was like shopping while being followed and really made the experience unpleasant. We were looking forward to the chopped liver at Russ & Dtrs but they only had the vegetarian. A disappointing and insulting experience saved only by the glory of Chagall and the regular exhibit, small as they were

Ken Mandel

What's not to love?

enrique quezada

It's very nice

Andrea Bielli

Great space with good exhibitions. I loved the one on Leonard Cohen which is really very well organized with a vivid portrait of the artist and the collection of art inspired by him. The restaurant in the basement is a good recommendation for a quick bite on style!

Lynne McVey

Wonderful exhibits of Jewish art, culture and religious treasures and artifacts. The Leonard Cohen exhibit was a terrific retrospective of his life and work.

S F

"Chagall, Lissitzky, Malevich: The Russian Avant-Garde in Vitebsk, 1918-1922" exhibit was great! Free Saturdays rocks!

Rusty Carbon

Security guy at the front entrance checking bags has a huge attitude problem but I'm giving the museum a 5 star review cause I want to make sure he goes there every day and stands there for years so I never find him anywhere else.

Jill Frawley

Some really interesting exhibits.

Connie Roxas Ballen

Fantastic Leonard Cohen exhibit.

Harry Zupnik

The self "portraits" exhibit on the 2nd floor was markedly enhanced by our guide, Rachel's knowledgeable, clear and lively explanations.. plus she offered some wonderful insights about the lively museum building and the Warburg family who built it as their home.

Ellen Rios

Not too big ,very interesting exhibits

SW NYC

The Leonard Cohen exhibit was one of the best curated audiovisual museum exhibitions ever. Worth at least 2 hours of your time.

Lincoln D

Saturday is free. Nice place to see and learn about Jewish History.

Inyoung

When I visitied, the first and second floor were closed. Only the third floor was open. The arts and paintings were very great. This place seemed to focus both on artifacts of Jewish history, and on modern and contemporary art.

Danny van der Rijn

Just went to the gift shop but things were pretty (and pricy).

Anthony Maiorana

Came here for the Brunch at Russ and Daughters on a Saturday and then explored the museum. The curation of the collections was eclectic and thought provoking and it was a nice way to spend time on a Saturday with my fiancée's family after brunch. I would definitely come back.

Giora Dolan

Leonard Cohen exhibition is must, very exciting

Will Palley

Amazing museum of visual art, as well as Judaica. Definitely worth visiting. There's a delicious restaurant downstairs (best bagels in NY!) and the gift shop is great, also.

Kylie Ivory

Leonard Cohen exhibit was mesmerizing. Staff not so. Stars are for the exhibit. Staff could use some manners and personality.

roberta zimmerman

We visited the Jewish Museum this afternoon and loved the Veiled Meanings : Fashioning Jewish Dress exhibit from The Israel Museum in Jerusalem. We took my 89 year old mother and she thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit. She said " next to our trip to Israel this was the best experience. It was fabulous!"

Gelo Petsvona

Very nice Leonard Cohen expo.

Stephen Dix

Great leonard cohen exhibition

Christina P

If you are of Jewish background you will definitely appreciate a visit to the museum but that isn't too day that it is only open to or interesting for others. I was fascinated to look over the marvellous collection of art which has been collected here. There is everything from paintings and weather vanes to, menhora's, Torah covers, circumcision sets and a plethora of other things. Each level seems to offer a different feel and perspective so there's lots to look at.

Richard Brafford

Great museum but way too expensive you should be free

Brad Gluszewski

This is an absolutely great museum and free on Saturdays. Great selection of cultural items and art. I would highly recommend it. Great kids area on the fourth floor. Very friendly and helpful staff. Security is stringent at the door so be prepared. Cafe in the basement has great food!

Viktoria Pinto-neus

Great place to take the kids. Not historically focused, the museum is more art focused than Judaism focused. Different mediums than just paintings. Film exhibit was my fave

Boris Makhnevich

Good exhibitions. Nice place, good experience.

Lee Depoian

The staff is exceptionally friendly.

Hannah Rosenberg

Loved the leonard cohen exhibit

Peter Krause

Free on the sabbath! Great museum.

Laura Libove

Leonard Cohen exhibit was terrific!

Abe Davoody

One of the best museums in Gotham. There's a deli to check out in the Basement

Ron Rothenberg

Really outstanding Museum and Russ & Daughters restaurant is incredible. Both are a must visit!!!!!!

Linda Pickering

A beautiful space once you get through tight security at entrance. Modigliani exhibition was quite good. It primarily includes rarely-seen sketches and studies. The gift shop has many nice items. Don't miss the Jewish deli in the cafe, Russ and Daughters. Try the different smoked salmons, whitefish, sable. You can eat there AND take some goodies home. Yum!

Tami Baublitz

Fascinating display of what it means to be human and humanitarian minded. Highly thought provoking and insightful.

Leszek Poniatowski

Very interestin exhibition about Leonard Cohen

James Fackrell

History of Jewish peoples and artifacts Also an amazing contemporary art collection That rotates regularly

Barry Korn

Converted mansion holding great exhibitions. Incredible judeaica in museum store

Paul Pavlinovich

The museum is quite interesting and some of the art is very provocative. The whole place is accessible and well laid out with strong artist information and good interpretation. Lots of very interesting pieces.

Caprice Abramson

Lern more about the history about the Jewish people

Tete Valdez

Love the jewish people.

Lynn Lin

Love it.

Ramon Santana

A lot to see great place to go with the kids a lot lo learn

Shanni Prutchi

Lovely museum with a nice collection. I visited during the Leonard Cohen exhibit, which was really special. The gift shop offers a good collection of Judaica and the deli is delicious!

Henrik Sandin

Outstanding Leonard Cohen exhibition!

Debora Levi

I love the museum, just great curated exhibitions free in Saturday, they have a great shop which is not open Saturday but is great for elegant and meaningful gifts.

Wear BU

Very disappointing oldfashioned Museum, Definitely not for kids or families.

robert kapulsky

Had a great experience here. The museum strikes the right balance between atrocities of the past and optimism for the future. I also highly recommend the Cafe with a fantastic selection of unique fish dishes.

Jane Levine

Loved the Leonard Cohen exhibit. I found it totally absorbing. It is mostly a number of compilations of videos of him at various stages of his life.

Norman Hollander

We went there and saw the Leonard Cohen retrospective . Very well presented and very moving. He was a great poet laureate and song writer. His song Halleluya is a gold standard, sung around the world.

nelli latypova

One of the museums I would suggest to visit. I have attended the Lisitskiy -Shagal - Malevich exhibition there, and can assure you that it was fantastic! Apart for temporary display of art, there is a permanent exhibition on Jewish culture which is worth seeing. Overall, it is a must see place.

Adam Walker

The deli in the basement is just wonderful. Food is great and well priced, and the ambiance and staff are top notch

Alan Newman

Going later today to see my hero Leonard Cohen

Ludwig van Bedolla

Great museum. I went to the Leonard Cohen exhibition and it is a tremendous experience that would take you through the life and work of Cohen. The rest of the museum is quite different from what you have seen in NYC, the art pieces are stunning and the religious objects breathtaking. I would personally recommend to go with someone knowledgeable about the topic so you do not get lost in the museum.

Sam dela Cruz

I came here on a school trip. It's highly educational. I love seeing all the old artwork, furniture, architecture and literature.

Gary Kreissman

The Leonard Cohen exhibit was spectacular. And quite poignant. Very much worth a visit.

Ruth Kaufman

The Leonard Cohen exhibit is terrific. Could have spent four or five hours there and still not seen/heard everything! We really enjoyed lunch downstairs in Russ & Daughters.

Ron Sternberg

Wonderful day on 12/25/18. Very special concert by Nefesh Mountain; two terrific special exhibits.

Mark Wilson

Leonard's Cohen sublime

lew krash

Loved the exhibit

Dustin Joyce

This is perhaps not the worst museum I’ve ever visited, but it’s pretty close. The staff seem thoroughly uninterested in helping visitors have an enjoyable time. But take your jacket off in the galleries and they’ll be all over you to put it back on. Rarely have I seen a museum with a more inane rules. But do the exhibits make up for that? Haha, hardly. Many of the exhibits feel more like collections of high-school art projects than serious works of art. Two stars is being generous. A real disappointment.

bill d

Leonard Cohen exhibit was fantastic. Russ and Daughters is excellent though pricey.

Linda Schecter

Always great exhibits especially around a holiday. This one being Chanukah.

Sofia Briskin

I visited the museum with my family. My kids and I loved the museum. It's small, cozy, and gives home feeling. Also it has some amazing exbitions!

Charlotte Minor

Again I love New York. This museum is very large much larger than my Baltimore museum. Sooo much to see. I am more knowledgeable in the Jewish Faith. Shalom. So Beautiful

Marianella G

It's all, but very insteresting! Loved it

andre47g

Museum is amazing starting on the 3rd floor plus museum's store and restaurant. Cohen exhibition is some kind of misunderstanding

Dorothy Griffiths

The group Meetup was a disaster. They left the location. The bag counter refused to let me in they said the rules are , no bag pack. I explained my bag is a type of hand bag, dual in nature. I don't have to carry it on my back but because I have severe injuries on my right side I carry it on my left shoulder. I said I could hold the straps in my hand while viewing although that too is a bit much because my left shoulder is also slightly injured and has been bearing all loads due to the right side being out of commission for over 2 half years due to work injuries. They insisted I should take out my double folded purse, iPad, phone, and glasses place them in a small looking sandwich bag being issued at the desk. Then leave my bag at the desk. I refused profusely, explaining that I had a similar situation at a museum in Glasgow, Scotland and that bag was a much larger

Mary Smith

Disappointing. Thought it would have more of the Holocaust. Also the guard told me to take my small back pack off my back and carry it in front of me. Said it was a hazard to the display. Really not a hazard at all. There’s a reason I wear a small back pack instead of large purse. The best part was Russ and Daughters.

Claire B.

Beautiful! Amazing! I loved going here with my family and encourage everyone to go. I intend to go again.

Meredith Davis

Regularly has smart, sophisticated exhibits. Good cafe.

Rachel Vine

Excellent exhibits.... today saw the Leonard Cohen exhibit - wonderful !

Alison Pena

Fabulous Leonard Cohen exhibit! Except I prefer The Conspiracy of Beards as my a capella Leonard Cohen go-to singing group.

Laura Medina Alemán

Don't miss the museum and if you have the opportunity go there before the Leonard Cohen exposition finish... It is worthy!

Amanda Riojas

Gentle, happy staff and a brilliant curation makes this museum a must visit. Just $18 for an adult or free on Saturday?? It's a small museum but there's so many great works to ponder over.

Mark Rasmussen

Went to visit the Leonard Cohen exhibit. Learned more about Jewish culture than I had known before. It was eye opening and revelatory.

Hilla Benzaken

Leonard Cohen exhibit is beyond amazing

April Childress

If you go to "A Crack in Everything" expecting Cohen manuscripts and ephemera ala the Tolkien exhibit at the Morgan Library, you'll be disappointed. But if you are looking for room-sized concert videos of Cohen, deep voices in dark rooms, holy vibrations of Alleluia through your bones ... this is for you. Tributes to Cohen by various artists and non-artists may shock, offend, tickle, or move you. Allow two to three hours at least to take it all in, especially since the wait for the blue room/Depression Chamber may be long. (If the line is short, join it. The wait is five minutes per person.) I loved the hundred-plus self portraits with the accompanying humming in the walls; the humming room; the the blue room; the concert room. But then, I loved Cohen.

Alan Wu

First visit since major interior renovations were completed. Has repositioned its offerings in regard to the relatively new Museum of Jewish Heritage (Holocaust Museum) at the south end of Manhattan island. The uptown Jewish Museum now focuses more on art, music, culture, and artifacts associated with a worldwide ethnic and religious population. Not just for Jews exclusively. Invites people from all cultures from around the world. Open Saturdays (Shabbas) for free, except Museum Store is closed. Hosts large temporary exhibits (such an interesting one about the late musician Leonard Cohen) and often publishes book-length exhibition catalogs. Security screening at entrance, for obvious reasons. Staff is respectful and polite.

michael rock

Saw the Leonard Cohen exhibit, which was fascinating, and spent a little time in the other exhibits. It’s an excellent museum, although there were a lot of LOUD patrons during our visit. Having security similar to airport security really annoyed me but I can’t fault the museum for reacting to the current state of the world.

J Kaye

Super. Inventive.

Phil Maywalt

An amazing place. You have to go in person

Sergio Guillen

Marvelous place. The Leonard Cohen exhibit was amazing!

Tatyana Grankina

Beautifully presented Leonard Cohen exhibition. A must.

Op.Dr. Mert Demirel

Awesome Leonard Cohen curation. It is not a big museum. But geniousness for Leonard Cohen was remarkable. Do not miss

Rebecca Horwitz

A beautiful museum

Archard Lancaster

Just ok museum. The man who searched my bag on the left side crushed my personal belongings.

Melanie Cohn

A great museum with very engaging exhibitions. I recently went on a Saturday to see the Leonard Cohen show. Admission is free on Saturdays and it was busy. But despite the crowds, it was an intimate and powerful experience.

Steve Levine

Leonard Cohen exhibit is very engaging

Jen Lanter

The museum had 1 floor under renovation when I was there, so it is possible that there is more to it than the 3 star worthy. The exhibit I saw was interesting, but dark. Not sure what the message was supposed to be when combined with the permanent exhibit, which is interesting but somewhat apologetic. My companion and I felt the intentionality of the curation is somewhat lacking in depth, and heavy on self criticism. There are better, more celebratory, historically rich museums in this fine city.

Taylor Traner

Absolutely the kindest Information Desk staff imaginable! Wonderfully put together pieces that really showcases the museum, Jewish designers, and everything in between. A must see!

Eve Pasternak

Fascinating collections displayed in well curated exhibits

ronald waitzman

Excellent Leonard Cohen exhibit

Eli Tennenbaum

On arriving to the museum I was quickly disappointed by the Judaism that it was representing. This is not a museum of art for religious Judaism, rather it is a museum for ETHNICALLY Jewish work. I was surprised to see a painting of a naked women in the museum, which is completelly against the Jewish laws of modesty. This is a museum of ETHNICALLY Jewish work, not religious Jewish work.

Christine Borchert

Cohen exhibit opened today. Don't miss it! You'll need a few hours to immerse yourself. The second floor organ installation is amazing. Take your time, play multiple keys. When you get to the room with the men's choir singing, stay and listen as long as you can stand it before going into the room behind the screen. I laughed out loud with joy!

Laurie Greenwald

The Leonard Vohen exhibit is fantastic

Georgia Piazza

Beautiful art exhibition.

J J Peon

Great collection. Interesting exhibits in a cordial atmosphere.

Victor Wang

Good museum that's free on Saturdays and part of Bank of America Museums on Us. Sadly the museum is quite small and when I went one of the floors was closed due to renovation so it was a very short visit. Still had a good time and can't complain too much since it was free. Friendly staff is also a nice plus.

Ilya Speranza

What an incredible collection and such a beautiful building - it's an artwork in itself!

Aly Mello

I went during the pay what you wish hours for the museum. Unlike other museums I've been to, they still make you walk up to the cashier, which kind of inclines you to pay the regular price. The museum itself is worth the price however. I was surprised by how expansive it was and you could easily spend many hours there.

Melissa Kiewiet

Exhibits are relevant and their collections space is interactive and a fun way to learn about Jewish culture.

Okachi Oman

What a beautiful and incredible museum. They even had activities for kids. Many different eras are on display.

Maksim Shligold

Small but well curated museum showing collection of Chagall and his Vitebsk painters from period of Soviet collectivism. Only minor gripe are oversensitive guards but otherwise enjoyable. Tip: try their bagel in cafeteria in basement!

Bill Mintz

Cool collection. Good interpretation. Always my hallmark of a good museum.

B. Sullivan

Definitely only go when its free, or if you have something very specific in mind that you want to see. This is a very small museum, and compared to other places in the area simply is not economically worth it if you have to pay. If you have to pay, might as well go to the Metropolitan or the Museum of Natural History.

Walter Miguel

Was there for the highly recommended Leonard Cohen exhibit. A must for.any Cohen fan

Philip Koch

Magnificent Museum on Fifth Avenue. All day Saturday is free!

donna Kaiser

restaurant was fabulous. Thought the Leonard Cohen Xzibit could have been smaller so could have had other things

bellamybug

Dont Like Them

Dr. Alan Winder

Jews! A museum about everything Jew-related! Highly recommended for ALL your Jewish-Museum related needs.

right hook

Very Jewcy. It changed my life. In a chai way. Thanks.

Harry Bradley

It was a decent museum. Not the biggest around, not a top tier museum and smaller than some of the others (both in terms of physical size and the size of its collection). But it is still a good visit.

Robert Berger

Great exhibition on Leonard Cohen.

SILVIA Z

Wonderful building history itself

Jasmin Sanchez

Great time. You can get through most of the museum quickly. Saturday’s are FREE!