Capital Jewish Museum

The Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum is a history museum in Washington, D.C., focused on the history of Jewish life in the American capital city and the surrounding Washington metropolitan area. Formerly known as the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington, the institution traces its roots to 1960 as a historical society and 1975 as a museum, and reopened in its new home near the U.S. Capitol in 2023.

The 32,500 square foot, four-floor, LEED silver-certified Museum features a terrace with views of the Capitol, a lobby atrium, a flexible education space, three floors of exhibition galleries, and incorporates the historic Adas Israel Synagogue building — the oldest synagogue building in Washington, D.C. Located just blocks from the Capitol, the new landmark includes state-of-the-art exhibition galleries that explore the past, present, and future of Jewish Washington.

The Museum’s mission is to explore the Jewish experience in the national capital region and inspire visitors to connect personally and collectively, reflect on the relevance of the past to today, and act on behalf of their communities and values. Programming includes ongoing and special exhibitions, school group visits, educator resources, family events, a Community Action Lab, and public programs.

As a history museum and public-facing educational institution, the Capital Jewish Museum commits to building an inclusive, multi-racial democracy, teaching difficult histories, and working to foster an anti-racist society.