Rescue and Renewal: The Jewish Cultural Reconstruction Collection of the Hebrew Theological College

In the fall of 1950, Hebrew Theological College (HTC) Librarian Leah Mishkin received several large crates filled with Jewish ceremonial objects and religious texts. More crates would arrive over the next few years until, ultimately, Mrs. Mishkin became custodian of over sixty objects and thousands of books, all entrusted to HTC by the Jewish Cultural Reconstruction, Inc. (JCR).

All told, JCR took custody of 500,000 books, 1,000 Torah scrolls, and 17,000 objects, for which no claims had been filed and no heirs could be determined. These objects had been looted by Nazis and left unclaimed after the war, indicating their owners and extended families were murdered in the Holocaust. All of these items were once used by real people.

Over sixty of these objects were placed in the care of Hebrew Theological College. On loan to the Museum, these treasured artifacts are currently displayed in the Feis Family Lobby.

This exhibition is made possible by Judy and Albert Milstein and family in memory of Holocaust Survivors Ruth and Sam Milstein.