CAJM Conference 2017
Boston and Amherst, Massachusetts

We presented our 2017 conference, "Transcending Boundaries: Redefining the Museum Experience," in two locations—Boston and Amherst, Massachusetts. In these areas so rich with history, culture, and institutions of higher learning, we saw a range of organizations and projects that shed light on our profession. Museum specialists, scholars, and thought leaders discussed the ways in which our work overlaps and inspired new interpretations and presentations of Jewish culture.

We saw how museums can transcend boundaries of all kinds, and how other types of institutions address issues of cultural specificity with their audiences. Neither Boston nor Amherst is home to what we traditionally think of as a large-scale “Jewish museum;” yet, in both places, museum-like activities are present in other settings, and museums not defined as “Jewish” explore Jewish themes and dialogues.

As we reflected on our theme and looked beyond traditional museum practice, we generated exciting conversations: How can Jewish museums explore culture in new ways? What role can other cultural institutions play in preserving and presenting Jewish content? How does this impact our thinking about the audiences we reach and the communities we serve?

The annual CAJM conference could not have happen without the generous assistance of many individuals, institutions, and funders. Our Program Committee members helped us identify new talents for our conference deliberations. We are especially grateful to our funders and to our colleagues at the Yiddish Book Center, Temple Israel of Boston, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture for providing our anchor venues.

Thank you to our 2017 conference
supporters and partners:

The David Berg Foundation
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
The Joanne Marks Kauvar Fellowship & Scholarship Fund
Rabbi Robert and Virginia Bayer Hirt
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston
Anonymous foundation
Yiddish Book Center
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture
Temple Israel of Boston
Jeane Ungerleider
Anonymous donor
Rina Scott Cowan
Dr. and Mrs. Donald W. Putnoi
Northeastern University Jewish Studies Program