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Frequently Asked Questions PDF Print E-mail
What is the American Jewish Legacy?
The American Jewish Legacy (AJL) is a national effort to preserve and document the unique, rich history of traditional Jewish life – including observance of kosher dietary laws, Sabbath and holidays and other religious rituals – throughout the United States from 1654. Working with noted academicians, public and private archives, regional and national historic organizations in the United States and abroad, the AJL has initiated projects and activities to save this endangered and important historical resource.

How do we gather this material?
a) Primary Sources: Through representatives and affiliated historical societies, the AJL identifies individuals, organizations and institutions; AJL then gathers their information through oral and video histories, family and organizational records.
b) Secondary Sources: AJL also collects and disseminates information from the collections of historical societies, museums, archives and Judaic studies programs as it relates to America’s Jewish traditional cultural experience.
c) AJL Regional Representatives across the United States assist in identifying and locating this information

What does the AJL do with the material it gathers?
Under the direction of our Academic Board, the AJL creates an educational resource used in numerous projects such as our website; the AJL exhibit, From the Mountains to the Prairie; the AJL Marketplace Collection – images and advertisements from major American food companies focusing on the Jewish
consumer; AJL Quarterly Newsletter; and AJL Publication Society. Other programs and projects are also under development.

What does the AJL hope to achieve?
a) To educate the American public about:
• The critical role Jews have played in the development of this country and their important contributions in arts, finance, industry and other fields.

• How many Jews maintained their religious culture and traditions while successfully becoming a part of the American cultural mosaic.
b) To record for posterity stirring stories of sacrifices people made in order to maintain Jewish traditions in all eras of American history.

Why is this work so important?
Historical Jewish landmarks, congregation records and documents and family archives are disappearing across America. These artifacts, documents and historical data are in danger of being lost forever.

Why isn’t this work done by a major Jewish organization, and how is the AJL different from other Jewish
historical societies?
The AJL is the only organization focusing on the history of traditional American Jewish life on a national level. The AJL works closely with a number of Jewish organizations, Jewish historical societies, and academics across the United States.

How can I help?
• By publicizing the work of the AJL.
• By supporting the work of the AJL with contributions of material and resources.
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PBS Documentary "Jewish Americans" - see AJL material used in the series.
CLICK HERE
Exhibit National Tour
Next Stop on National Tour:
Columbus, Ohio
April 12 through June 4, 2010
For Photos & Articles Relating To AJL Exhibit National Tour 2003-2007
CLICK HERE
AJL Projects