1654 Society

Late in the summer of 1654, 23 Jewish refugees arrived in America. They came from Recife, Brazil, and with the perfect mix of courage, tenacity, and determination, began their lives as Americans, building a community in what was then known as New Amsterdam.

It is in honor of those intrepid men, women, and children, the first Jews in what is now our nation, that the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH) has created the 1654 Society, our new annual leadership giving society.

1654 Society members agree to deepen their commitment to NMAJH by making a four-year pledge to the Museum of $1,800, $3,600, $5,400, or more, per year, a powerful statement about their commitment to the preservation and interpretation of American Jewish history.

Through the support of 1654 Society members the Museum is creating an ever-larger national presence so that more Americans will have a better understanding of the more than 360-year story of Jews in America.

For more information on the below-listed benefits or to discuss membership in the 1654 Society, please call 215.391.4637. Or, to make your four-year pledge online and join right away, click here.

Join NMAJH as a Charter Member of
the 1654 Society.

You will be entitled to a unique variety of exciting, special benefits shown below. Your commitment to the 1654 Society helps the Museum sustain our highest priorities.

 
Annual Giving Levels and Benefits
For more information, contact the Museum’s development staff at development@nmajh.org or 215.923.3811 x1131.

All 1654 Society Members receive the following benefits:

• Invitation to the Annual 1654 Society Summit
• On-demand guest pass service; the Museum will mail passes to friends or family at your request, anytime, for the duration of your four-year commitment
• Access to up to four, curator-led museum tours
• Concierge Service for program and event tickets
• 20% off in the Museum Store
• Reciprocal admission to more than 1,000 museums through the North American Reciprocal Museum and the Council of American Jewish Museums programs

$1,800 per year
All core benefits listed above

$3,600 per year
All of the $1,800 level plus

• $90 Gift Certificate to the Museum Store

$5,400 per year
All of the $3,600 level plus

• Invitations to select public programs with a special reception to meet the keynote speaker
• Exclusive seating during Museum public programs
• Opportunity to host a private reception at the Museum, once during 1654 Society four-year membership period, for a party of up to 100 at a 15% discount (a savings of up to $300)

$10,800 per year
All of the $5,400 level plus

• $180 Gift Certficate to the Museum Store
• Foursome at the NMAJH Signature Golf Classic

$18,000 or higher per year
All of the $10,800 level plus

• 2 complimentary tickets to the Only In America Gala and recognition in the Gala Program Book 

Take a Seat Campaign

Show your support for the educational programming of the Museum with a named seat in the Dell Theater.

With a four year commitment of $1,800 or more per year, your name or the name of a person you would like to honor will be elegantly engraved on a plaque affixed to the back of a seat in the Dell Theater.

Naming a Seat is a great way to:

• Pay tribute to your support and commitment to the Museum
• Give a unique gift
• Honor a loved one
• Commemorate a special occasion
• Celebrate the arrival of a child or grandchild

All new 1654 Society Members (who join before June 1) will receive a named seat.

Anyone who renews their 1654 membership will receive a named seat.

To complete your order form, click here.

Can I pick my seat?

Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do our best to accommodate your requested seating location; however, we reserve the right to assign plaques by availability.

Will I be able to sit in my seat(s) at performances?

The “Take-a-Seat” campaign does not include a personal seat license and we cannot guarantee that named seat(s) will be available for use during ticketed performances.