named programs · 15 · from sources
What they call their work
Building Bridges
Interactive tour for grades 5–12 introducing the origin and history of the Jewish nation, holidays, and traditions, featuring hands-on exhibits, a craft project, and a game show.
Chocolate Makery
Workshop where students learn about chocolate production and its connection to Shabbat, including harvesting cocoa and molding chocolate.
Crayon Workshop
Activity where children learn how crayons are made and create their own crayon and art piece, connecting the process to individual uniqueness.
Cultural Connection
Program for grades K–8 that explores Jewish customs and traditions through interactive exhibits including a kid-sized kosher supermarket and a charity game.
Exodus Unlocked – Escape Room
Immersive escape room experience for grades 6+ where participants solve puzzles related to the biblical Exodus story to lead the Jewish people to freedom.
Holiday Highlights
Holiday-themed exhibit tours for preschool to grade 6 focusing on Jewish holidays, customs, and traditions, including a craft project.
Jewish Adventure
Program for grades 1–6 that brings Jewish history and traditions to life through exhibit play and crafts, covering biblical stories and ceremonies.
Jewish Adventure Junior
Hands-on experience for preschool to grade K students featuring exhibit play in areas like Noah’s Ark and a kid-sized kosher supermarket, plus an educational craft.
Matzah Bakery
Seasonal program where children participate in making matzah from wheat to baking, racing against time to complete the process.
Milk & Honey
Program for grades 2–8 focusing on the Land of Israel’s fruits and foods, featuring a sculptural mural and an art project.
Mitzvah Land
Program for grades 2–8 exploring mitzvot related to the Land of Israel through biblical stories and Midrashim, designed for Jewish day schools.
Soil to Oil
Hands-on workshop where students extract olive oil using ancient methods and light a menorah with their handmade oil, tied to the story of Chanukah.
Summer Kosher Wonderland
Immersive summer experience for 3–6 year olds exploring kosher food and blessings through interactive stations and giant treats.
Summer Slime
Summer program for grades 1–6 where children create Jewish-themed slime through sensory play.
Torah Unwrapped
Holiday program for preschool to grade 8 teaching how Torah scrolls are made, including parchment preparation and scribal practice.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Hosting educational programs and workshops for school, camp, and family groupsOffers structured educational programs for students in grades K–12 and preschoolers, including guided tours, holiday-themed workshops (e.g., Matzah Factory, Soil to Oil), and hands-on activities that explore Jewish customs, holidays, and traditions. Programs are tailored for school groups, camp groups, and families, with free preview tours available for educators.
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Digital Visitor Engagement via Mobile App 1 activity
- Offering audio tours and multimedia theater presentationsProvides audio tours to enhance visitor experience of museum exhibits and operates a 75-seat theater that screens educational films on Jewish holidays and global Jewish life using advanced audio-visual technology.
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Library of Things Lending 1 activity
- Operating a toy lending program (Toybrary) for young childrenRuns a toy borrowing service for members and non-members, allowing families to rent up to three educational toys for a period of up to three weeks. The program supports children ages 2–5 and includes in-person pickup at the museum front desk.
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Museum-Based Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Operating interactive museum exhibits on Jewish history, traditions, and values for children and familiesProvides immersive, hands-on exhibits that teach Jewish history, values, and traditions to children aged 2–10 and their families through technology-driven and experiential learning environments. Exhibits include themed play areas, replicas of historical settings, and interactive simulations such as a kosher supermarket, a shtetl, and a Noah’s Ark ball pit.
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Youth and Young Adult Spiritual Engagement 1 activity
- Providing escape room experiences themed around biblical storiesOperates an immersive, interactive escape room based on the Exodus story, offering 1-hour sessions for families (up to 15 participants) and 1- to 2-hour sessions for school or camp groups. Participants solve puzzles and engage in challenges that reinforce themes of faith and freedom.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.33M
Contributions & grants$1.20M52%
Program service revenue$593K25%
Investment income$2250%
Other revenue$536K
expenses
Total expenses$3.31M
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$1.26M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$15.75M
Cash$129K
Investments$0
Liabilities$7.86M
Net assets$7.89M
Liquid reserves0.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -6.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEVORAH HALBERSTAM | GRANT DIRECTOR | 40 | $244K |
| YERACHMIEL BENJAMINSON | Executive Dir. | 25 | $77K |
| SB BAUMGARTEN | Foundation Mgr. | 40 | $53K |
board members · 7
- ARI CHITRIK — Director
- DAVID SMETANA — Director
- JACOB PINSON — Director
- JOSEPH FRIMERMAN — Director
- JOSEPH RIVKIN — Chairman
- LIPA LIEBERMAN — Director
- ZALMAN CHEIN — Treasurer
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Bloomberg Philanthropy Partner — Corporate donor supporting the museum.
- CenterEdge Online Partner — Uses CenterEdge Online for ticketing and reservations for family and private group bookings.
- Chocolatte Partner — On-site modern café serving coffee, smoothies, breakfast, and sandwiches within the museum.
- DYCD Government — Partial sponsor of museum programs
- Douglas / Gallagher Partner — Exhibit design firm involved in creating the museum's displays.
- Government of the City of New York Government — Government entity providing significant financial support.
- Gwathmey Siegel Architects Partner — Designed the museum building with a high-tech infrastructure to support interactive exhibits.
- Maltbie and Watson Productions Partner — Production company that helped create the museum's exhibits.
- Mendy’s Partner — On-site Glatt Kosher Delicatessen & Restaurant providing food services at the museum.
- Mendy’s restaurant Partner — Provides food service options for group lunches at the museum.
- NYSCA Government — Partial sponsor of museum programs
- NYSCA Government — State-affiliated arts funding organization supporting the museum.
- Nash Brookes Partner — Exhibit design firm involved in creating the museum's displays.
- New York City Government — Provides educational programming for NYC public school students through a grant-supported initiative.
- Nissan Foundation Funder — Partial sponsor of museum programs
- Public School students Partner — Offers free or subsidized programs specifically designed for public school students with limited exposure to Jewish culture.
- Rabbi Baumgarten Partner — Contact person for theater rental inquiries at the Jewish Children's Museum.
- State Government of New York Government — Government entity providing significant financial support.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Connection and Universal Values Through Shared Humanitymethodology: cultural-connectionsBy exploring Jewish customs and traditions in ways that highlight shared universal values, we foster tolerance and personal reflection on kindness and responsibility because recognizing common ethical ground across cultures strengthens moral development and social empathy in children.
- Experiential Learning Through Interactive Engagementmethodology: experiential_educationBy using hands-on, immersive, and interactive exhibits — including role-play, gamified activities, and multi-sensory environments — we teach Jewish history, traditions, and values because direct experience fosters deeper understanding and retention in children.
- Technology-Enhanced Cultural Educationmethodology: technology-integrated_educationBy integrating child-friendly technology such as interactive games, videos, and audio-visual systems into exhibits, we increase engagement with Jewish history and values because technology makes abstract cultural concepts more accessible and engaging for young learners.