In a Tumultuous Era, Some Museums Rush to Embrace the Political, While Others Deliberately Retreat

“Artists are the people in our society who are thinking about the new ideas of our time.” PAGE 2 A SPECIAL SECTION THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017 F1 NY In a tumultuous era, some museums rush to embrace the political, while others deliberately retreat. BY GRAHAM BOWLEY | PAGE 2 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN WHITLOCK; PHOTOGRAPHS CREDITED ON PAGE 2. Jewish museums reflect From Chicago to the Women’s history on 1917, when seeds of nation’s capital, unfolds in New York anti-immigration exploring what it means amid the glow of sentiment were sown. to be an American. Tiffany lamps. BY GERALDINE FABRIKANT | PAGE 38 BY HILARIE M. SHEETS | PAGE 6 BY ELIZABETH A. HARRIS | PAGE 4 F38 NY THE NEW YORK TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017 A TIME OF FEAR 1917, Still Reverberating Today A show explores how, a century ago, three events had a powerful impact on Jews around the world and on immigration. By GERALDINE FABRIKANT PHILADELPHIA — Sometimes an exhibition, planned years in advance, arrives at a mo- ment that makes it seem remarkably prescient. That is true of a show opening on March 17 at the National Museum of Ameri- can Jewish History in Philadelphia and later this year at the American Jewish Histori- cal Society in New York. Organized by the two institutions, which are collaborating on an exhibition for the first time, “1917: How One Year Changed the World” focuses on three historic events and their major impact on Jews around the world: America’s entry into World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the Balfour Declaration. The war and the revolution resulted in strict limits on immigration to the United States, reflecting a fear among Americans that unrest in Europe would spread to their country. The restrictions were not overtly COURTESY OF MARTIN FRANKLIN aimed at Jews, but because the quotas from countries with high Jewish populations were tightened, fewer Jews were able to settle in the United States. The Balfour Dec- laration, meanwhile, expressed Britain’s support for a Jewish home in Palestine. The exhibition will include 130 objects, in- cluding documents, photographs and war artifacts, that are likely to resonate with visitors as President Trump aggressively seeks to tighten borders and restrict immigration. Among the items is an undated cartoon from the era that portrays a man standing in front of a wall that bears the words “Immi- gration Restriction.” He is wearing a coat emblazoned with the word “Congress,” while a banner behind him says “Alien Un- desirables.” It was in 1917 that Congress be- gan taking steps to impose new immigration quotas, an effort that led to the restric- CARTOON OWNED BY SEPS; LICENSED BY CURTIS LICENSING COURTESY OF ELSIE SHEMIN-ROTH tive 1924 Johnson-Reed Act. Josh Perelman, chief curator and director of exhibitions and collections at the Phila- tee, offering to give $1 million if the commit- delphia museum, described the chilling ef- tee could raise $10 million to help Jews in fect that World War I had on immigration. “belligerent lands.” “The war was most significant because it A telegram from President Woodrow Wil- created an environment in which a power- son said the gift “serves democracy.” ful group — government, culture and acade- “It is to America that these starving mil- mia — were wary of the tribulations of Eu- lions look for aid,” he wrote. ”Out of our rope and scared that the immigrants would prosperity” and “free institutions should bring these people to our shores,” Dr. Perel- spring a vast and ennobling generosity,” he man said in an interview, surrounded by added. some of the objects in the show. “After the Not all Jewish immigrants viewed the revolution, when the Bolsheviks came to United States as a safe haven. A handful of power, and the xenophobia coalesced to- documents highlight the little-known story gether and had the power to influence, that of Boris Reinstein, who came from Russia fear accelerated.” and made a career as a druggist in Buffalo. The exhibition is also a strong reminder His 1917 application for a passport is on dis- of the number of Jews who fought for the play, as is his 1923 renunciation of his United United States during World War I. An esti- States citizenship. Mr. Reinstein was a true mated 3.4 million were living in the country believer in the Bolshevik Revolution and during the war years, and 250,000 joined the Soviet ideology and left his wife, Anna, the military, according to the American to return to Russia, where he worked in the Jewish Committee’s Office of Jewish War Library of the Marx, Lenin and Engels In- Records. stitute. One, Sgt. William Shemin, was posthu- For Dr. Perelman and Rachel Lithgow, ex- mously awarded the Medal of Honor by ecutive director of the American Jewish PHOTOGRAPHS VIA NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY President Barack Obama in 2015 — 97 years Historical Society, one gratifying coup was after his heroism during the war. He had re- the loan of two draft versions of the Balfour Clockwise from top left, “This was the text that was forwarded to peatedly left the safety of his platoon’s Declaration from the financier Martin Herbert Johnson’s cartoon Lord Balfour and was used as the basis of trench to recover wounded soldiers. Jewish Franklin, who acquired them from Sothe- from the era; a 1917 draft of the Balfour Declaration,” Dr. Perelman said. organizations had long lobbied for the med- by’s in 2005 as part of the archive of Leon the Balfour Declaration; the Arthur James Balfour, for whom the dec- al on his behalf, contending that his feats Simon. Mr. Simon, later Sir Simon, a British- Medal of Honor awarded in laration is named, was Britain’s foreign sec- had been wrongly overlooked. Visitors will born Jew who become director of Britain’s 2015 to William Shemin, a retary. The final declaration, in the form of a be able to see Sergeant Shemin’s medal, as General Post Office, shared the views of World War I Jewish letter dated Nov. 2, 1917, was sent to one of well as his helmet and other war gear. Chaim Weizmann, who was part of the Zion- sergeant. Above, Jacob Britain’s most distinguished Jewish citi- As the United States was entering the ist Commission that worked on the draft of Lavin, center, who fought in zens, Baron Lionel Walter Rothschild. war, there were concerns among Jews over the declaration. World War I with American Ultimately, it said, in part: “His Majesty’s the persecution of those still in Russia and Mr. Simon’s handwriting is on the original Expeditionary Forces; far government view with favor the establish- Eastern Europe. One piece of evidence on draft, which has never before been ex- right, Eva Davidson, who ment in Palestine of a national home for the display is a letter from the philanthropist hibited in the United States. It was written enlisted in the United States Jewish people, and will use their best Julius Rosenwald to Louis Marshall, chair- on the stationery of the Imperial Hotel in Marine Corps. endeavors to facilitate the achievement of man of the American Jewish Relief Commit- Russell Square in London. this object.” The document also added that “nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non- Jewish communities in Palestine.” Explaining his purchase of the document, Mr. Franklin said: “I bought it for two rea- sons: one, it is probably the most important document in the creation of the state of Is- rael. And second, my great great-uncle was the first high commissioner”: Lord Herbert Samuel, who arrived in Palestine in 1920. ”So I thought maybe we should keep it in the family.” F12 NY THE NEW YORK TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2017 DISPELLING MYTHS Islam? What’s That? A Muslim cultures show at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is designed to both educate young visitors and prevent bias. By JANET MORRISSEY derstanding and relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in As terrorism fears have mounted and ten- the U.S.,” said Zeyba Rahman, senior pro- sions have escalated toward Muslims in the gram officer at the Doris Duke Foundation United States in recent years, the Children’s for Islamic Art. This is critical, she said, con- Museum of Manhattan is doing its part to sidering that today there are more than 1.2 help defuse the rising anxiety. Its exhibition billion Muslims, or roughly one-sixth of the “America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures world’s population. Near and Far” showcases the history, art Madelene Geswaldo, a teacher at the and traditions of Muslims, with the belief Manhattan School for Children, brought her that education will beat back ignorance and second- and third-grade students last fall hate every time. and used it as a starting point for a broader “People really want to dig in and get a bet- study of Islam. “We address Muslim culture ter understanding from a trusted source in a positive way so that kids will not form about Muslim cultures,” said Andrew S. ideas of having to be scared, or that all Mus- Ackerman, the museum’s executive direc- lims are terrorists or bad people,” Ms. tor. And the earlier people are exposed to di- Geswaldo said. The exhibition helped to verse cultures, the better, he said. “humanize” the culture and showcase its “Biases can form by age 6,” noted Lizzy contributions to the world, she said. Martin, the show’s curator. The show has brought cultures together, Mr.

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