Several members of the U.S. House and Senate recently proposed a new commission that looks into the possibility of transferring ownership of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution, writes Peter Dobrin for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

According to Rep. Brendan Boyle, bringing the Weitzman under the wing of the Smithsonian is an idea that has been under consideration for several years.

“There are certainly a lot of advantages,” said Boyle, a co-sponsor of the bill. “There is a certain prestige element that comes with that. It also attracts much more attention for the museum.”

The museum already has a relationship with the Smithsonian as one of its affiliate partners. However, becoming a part of the Smithsonian would bring more visibility to the contribution of Jewish people in America throughout history.

In the words of Misha Galperin, president and CEO of the museum, it would send “a very important message that we belong here, particularly at this time of record antisemitism.”

Even if it does become part of the Smithsonian, Galperin said the museum would remain in Philadelphia. 

The museum was founded in 1976, and moved into its new building on Independence Mall in 2010.

Read more about what being part of the Smithsonian could mean for the National Museum of American Jewish History at The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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