News Release

FORT WAYNE  — The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is pleased to present “Jewish History and Art Illuminated: 175 Years of Congregation Achduth Vesholom,” an exhibition of works by Jewish artists on view November 11 through January 28, 2024.

In 1848, Fort Wayne founded the first Jewish congregation in the state of Indiana: Congregation Achduth Vesholom. The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is proud to present its history in Jewish History and Art Illuminated: 175 Years of Congregation Achduth Vesholom.

Originally founded as a burial society, Congregation Achduth Vesholom, also known as “The Temple,” has moved to five different worship spaces and employed almost 25 rabbis. The Temple has been a central voice for Fort Wayne’s Jewish community and has witnessed several waves of Jewish immigration, weathered the effects of the Holocaust, and observed the founding of the State of Israel, all while offering spiritual leadership and learning, and participating in civic life.

This exhibition was curated by Sharon Eisbart, Owner of Sharon Eisbart Corporate Art, and Wendy Soltz, Assistant Professor of Public History at Ball State University, and made possible with art and Judaica loans from Congregation Achduth Vesholom and a grant from the Dr. Harry W. Salon Foundation.

To celebrate the anniversary of Congregation Achduth, FWMoA will host a celebration in partnership with the Congregation from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 19 . The public is also invited to a Curator’s Tour of the exhibit at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 with Associate Curator of Exhibitions, Jenna Gilley. Reserve your tickets to these events at fwmoa.org/rsvp

General admission to see this exhibition at the museum is free for FWMoA members, $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors 65+, and $25 for families. General admission is free for everyone on Thursdays 5-8 p.m. Veterans, active military personnel, and their families will receive free general admission. FWMoA gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., and Sundays noon-5 p.m.