The premier Jewish history museum in the United States may come under the umbrella of the Smithsonian, providing a level of financial security and distinction to an institution that was facing bankruptcy four years ago.
On Wednesday, a bipartisan slate of lawmakers introduced legislation to study whether the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, in Philadelphia, could become part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Weitzman, as it is known, already has an affiliation with the Smithsonian, but making it a full part of the trust would make the museum eligible for federal appropriations and give it a figurative place alongside the iconic museums that line the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Lawmakers cited the reported spike in antisemitism in recent months as a reason to include the museum in the Smithsonian trust.
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