Jewish History and Art Illuminated: 175 Years of Congregation Achduth Vesholom @FW Museum of Art

11 Nov - ALL DAY EVENT

Jewish History and Art Illuminated: 175 Years of Congregation Achduth Vesholom

November 11, 2023 to January 28, 2024 at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art

In 1848, Fort Wayne founded the first Jewish congregation in the state of Indiana: Congregation Achduth Vesholom. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is proud to present its history in Jewish History and Art Illuminated: 175 Years of Congregation Achduth Vesholom.

Originally founded as a burial society, Congregation Achduth Vesholom, also known as “The Temple,” has moved to five different worship spaces and employed almost 25 rabbis. The Temple has been a central voice for Fort Wayne’s Jewish community and has witnessed several waves of Jewish immigration, weathered the effects of the Holocaust, and observed the founding of the State of Israel, all while offering spiritual leadership and learning, and participating in civic life.

This exhibition was curated by Sharon Eisbart, Owner of Sharon Eisbart Corporate Art, and Dr. Wendy Soltz, Assistant Professor of Public History at Ball State University, and made possible with art and Judaica loans from Congregation Achduth Vesholom and a grant from the Dr. Harry W. Salon Foundation.

Plan also to join us:

Reception and Program with Dr. Wendy Soltz and Mike Brown, Executive Director of the Indiana Jewish Historical Society. 

Sunday, November 19 at 2 p.m.

at Fort Wayne Museum of Art

Please join us for a free public lecture on Jewish History and Art Illuminated: 175 Years of Congregation Achduth Vesholom with Michael Brown, Executive Director of the Indiana Jewish Historical Society, and Dr. Wendy Soltz, Assistant Professor of History and Director of the Public History Program at Ball State University.

Mr. Brown will tell the story of “Achduth Vesholom: A Jewish Congregation at the Frontier of Indiana History.” Dr. Soltz, Co-curator of the exhibition, will discuss “Illuminating Congregation Achduth Vesholom’s 175-year History,” which will cover the concept for the exhibit, her research, and how the art and Judaica help tell the story of the congregation.

RSVP for the Public Lecture is required by Monday, November 13
Seating is limited and first-come, first served.