Coming to Life: Growing Up, Giving Back, and the Founding of the Contemporary Jewish Museum

ISBN-10: 1452144931
ISBN-13: 9781452144931
Series: Coming to Life
Pages: 96
Language: English
Published: 2015
Author: Stephen S. Leavitt

Description

"When the founders of The Contemporary Jewish Museum (THE CJM) stood on the dirt floor of a former electrical power substation built in 1907, they tried to envision it as a museum for the twenty-first century, a place that would enlighten and inspire everyone. That contemplation of THE CJM, which would open in 2008, also became self-contemplation for Dr. Stephen Leavitt. He began to write essays about the shaping of The Museum and about his own experiences growing up Jewish in America and being a member of the Jewish community in San Francisco. His reflections on identity and commitment, on history and tradition, offer an insightful and moving perspective on how THE CJM came to be what it is and how he came to be one of its visionaries. Coming to Life is a unique dual exploration and celebration"--