On October 3rd the Long Island Jewish History Museum will open its doors to the public for the first time. It is located within the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County at 100 Crescent Beach Road in Glen Cove. A preview of the museum will be available to members of the media on Wednesday September 21st beginning at 12 noon.
The first exhibit titled “Earning A Living: 300 Years of Jewish Businesses on Long Island” will profile over 60 businesses including farmers, manufacturers, retailers and other occupations. More than 100 artifacts will be on display that help tell the story of how Jews financially supported their families in a variety of ways. One example is Louis Cohn’s sewing machine from 1910 that has been used by four generations of the Cohn family at the Amityville Men’s Shop, a tailor and clothier that has been in business for over 110 years. Another is a stock certificate for ownership of shares in Rothman Pickle Products, an enterprise started by Joseph and Katie Rothman in East Northport in 1914.
Interesting personalities and uncommon ways of earning a living are also showcased including Harry Brause, a liquor store owner in Glen Cove beginning in 1912 who became a bootlegger during prohibition. A Roosevelt Raceway program from 1954 helps tell the story of George Morton Levy who was born in Seaford in 1888, opened a law office in Freeport, and became the founder of the harness racing track in 1940. Levy also facilitated the land transaction that brought the retailer Fortunoff from Brooklyn to open their flagship store in Westbury. A photograph of the ribbon cutting at the opening of Fortunoff in 1964 hangs in the museum.
“Long Island is the fourth largest Jewish community in the United States today yet has been overlooked for its historical significance in the American Jewish landscape”, said Brad Kolodny, president of Jewish Historical Society of Long Island, the organization that has created the Long Island Jewish History Museum. “Most people are aware of the Jewish population growth in Nassau and Suffolk counties after World War II, but our history goes back much further than that”.
“We are thrilled to partner with Jewish Historical Society of Long Island to bring the largely unknown history of our local Jewish community to the forefront”, said Andrea Bolender, Chair of the Board at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. “An essential part of our mission is education, and we know the Long Island Jewish History Museum will enhance the experience for visitors to our center”.
Admission to the Long Island Jewish History Museum is free and is covered under the suggested donation to enter the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. Hours are Monday through Friday 10am – 4:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 noon – 4pm. If you would like to attend the media preview of the museum on September 21st please email jhslongisland@gmail.com.
Long Island Jewish History Museum is a project of Jewish Historical Society of Long Island, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2021 to honor and celebrate Jewish history in Nassau and Suffolk counties. For more information visit www.jhsli.org.
