Should the museum be open Saturdays - even though Jewish law forbids work and commercial transactions?
Or should the museum be closed Saturdays - missing out on up to a quarter of its anticipated admission revenue, and turning away thousands of visitors who want to learn about 350 years of the American Jewish experience?
"There was not a simple answer," said Michael Rosenzweig, the museum's president and chief executive officer.
So in August, a committee from the board of directors was appointed to review the situation.
Members polled one another and found no consensus. They canvassed rabbis. No consensus. They questioned high-profile Jewish-related museums around the country for their policies.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York closes for the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. The Jewish Museum in New York is open on the Sabbath, although its gift shop is closed. The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco and the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and their gift shops are open on the Sabbath. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, a federal institution, is open every day except for Yom Kippur and Christmas.
In other words, no consensus.
Rosenzweig viewed what he called "a robust discussion" as presenting a "teachable moment, consistent with our mission and at the same time demonstrating appropriate sensitivity to our tradition."
"We're a Jewish institution, but not a religious institution," said Rosenzweig. "We're reaching out to the Jewish community and to the non-Jewish community, to inspire in all Americans a greater appreciation for the remarkable accomplishments of American Jews, for both themselves and the nation."
