Jewish Federations of North America on Thursday sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging their full support for the Weitzman Museum Bill, which would turn the historic Jewish museum in Philadelphia into a Smithsonian Museum.
 
Earlier this week, the bill was moved out a House committee -- now Jewish Federations, along with the Conference of Presidents and Anti-Defamation League, are requesting that House leaders move it for a full floor vote. 
 
The Weitzman was established in 1976 as the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. It is currently a private non-profit and is maintained primarily through generous charitable support. The Weitzman has been in its current home, a 100,000-square-foot James Polshek-designed building on Philadelphia's Independence Mall since 2010. 
 
“It’s critical, given the antisemitism crisis across our country, that we have a place to shine the light brightly on the contributions made by Jews in United States society throughout history. Turning Weitzman into a Smithsonian Museum is the perfect way to make that happen,” said Karen Paikin Barall, Jewish Federations’ vice president of government relations.  
 
The letter was signed by 31 Jewish communal organizations.