Abstract
Since the 1950s, dozens of new Jewish Museums have sprouted up across the North American landscape portraying various elements of Jewish history and culture. While some have broadly focused on the entire history of the Jewish people, others have narrowed their scope to memorializing the Holocaust or the experiences of Jewish immigrants to America. Despite this movement, no large educational-cultural institution exists to display the experiences of the Jewish people in Canada. This thesis proposes a concept plan for the first major Canadian Jewish heritage institution by applying to it the current trends and best practices of the greater museum field. Known as the Canadian Jewish Museum, this institution will be dedicated to educating a broad audience about the heritage of the Jewish people across Canada and the diversity of Canadian society. This plan outlines the Canadian Jewish Museum’s core exhibition sections and the principle artifacts used to display the historical narrative. Each section is devoted to a distinct theme or turning point in the history of Canadian Jews, and is intended to be a story that public audiences may relate to on several intellectual and emotional levels. As well, it highlights several key issues concerning the translation of memory and history into a broadly accessible, meaningful, and educational exhibit. Issues discussed include the composition of a museum’s mission and vision; how the core exhibit and its artifacts engage the visitor and create an exciting, educational environment for people of all ages and backgrounds; and how additional functions of the Canadian Jewish Museum contribute to a meaningful visitor experience. Ultimately, the concept plan for the Canadian Jewish Museum will discuss and apply the most effective methods of museum planning by focusing on the social needs and educational desires of its audience.