About the Museum
The museum at the Hebrew Union College was recently renovated as rededicated as Dr. Bernard Heller Museum. The HUC-JIR has long maintained a museum on campus to host changing exhibitions exploring the directions of contemporary art by Jewish artists. In a city with several museums dedicated to the exploration of the Jewish experience, this is the only one which specializes in contemporary creativity--looking at the current state of Jewish art and its future, instead of celebrating its history.
What You Will See
The museum hosts numerous temporary exhibitions, having hosted over 140 different shows since its initial founding in 1983. Often, these exhibitions are solo shows for active contemporary artists, including Max Ferguson, Jan Aronson, Hanan Harchol, Peter Leventhal and Mirta Kupferminic. Other shows, including the inaugural
Why You Should Go
There is no shortage of either contemporary art galleries or museums exploring Jewish history, creativity, and heritage in New York City. But the Heller Museum at HUC-JIR is the only institution to bridge the gap: contemporary art based in modern interpretations of Jewish tradition. But while an understanding of the Jewish experience can enhance your enjoyment of the exhibitions hosted here, ultimately, it is a contemporary art gallery on par with the best galleries in the city and should not be missed.
