Museum Of Jewish Heritage Reviews Plans For Genealogy Research Center In Battery Park City, Manhattan

The Museum of Jewish Heritage is currently reviewing plans to build a new genealogy research center at its facility at 36 Battery Place in Battery Park City. Named the Peter and Mary Kalikow Genealogy Research Center, the waterfront expansion will provide visitors with Jewish genealogy resources through JewishGen, a non-profit organization and affiliate of the museum.

When complete, the space will contain computer stations for visitors to peruse Jewish Gen’s vast collection of records and historical data, including ancestry, hundreds of memorial prayer books known as Yizkor, and other records. There also will be trained volunteers on site to assist visitors interested in the service.

“JewishGen has enabled countless people to learn more about their Jewish ancestry, and we are extremely grateful to launch this initiative to serve as an invaluable resource to anyone wishing to learn more about their relatives and their heritage,” said Jack Kliger, president and CEO of The Museum of Jewish Heritage. “We are proud to name this center after Peter and Mary Kalikow, who have been longtime supporters of the museum.”

Designed by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo & Associates, The Museum of Jewish Heritage was first opened in 1997. The same design team completed an 82,000-square-foot addition that curves around the existing building. Today, the museum features a collection of Jewish historical artifacts, classrooms, a 370-seat theater, gallery space, and a library.

The museum has not revealed when the new Genealogy Research Center might be completed.