Pause for a moment here and consider this. The Breman Museum stands as a beacon of Jewish history culture and art right here in Atlanta. Colloquially known as The Breman it opened its doors in 1996. The Breman is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast. It is named for William Breman an Atlanta businessman and philanthropist. He was deeply involved in Atlanta’s Jewish community.
The Breman is more than just a museum. It is a cultural center dedicated to Jewish history. It focuses especially on Georgia and the Holocaust. Leslie Gordon has served as executive director of the Breman since 2019. The Breman re-branded itself as a multifaceted center with a dynamic brand. The Breman is where story keepers and story seekers share the wonder of the Jewish experience.
Inside The Breman Museum you will find exhibitions. These exhibits educate visitors about Jewish values customs and traditions. Multimedia works enhance the experience. Expect film music and visual arts that explore universal themes. These themes include personal responsibility community building and cross-cultural understanding.
One of the museum’s permanent exhibitions is Absence of Humanity The Holocaust Years 1933-1945. Past exhibitions have featured Maurice Sendak the author of Where the Wild Things Are. Other exhibits include an exploration of the Golden Age of Comic Books 1938-1950. Also showcased is the story of Rich’s department store Return to Rich’s The Story Behind The Store.
The Breman also houses the Ida Pearle and Joseph Cuba Archives for Southern Jewish History. You can explore the Savannah Jewish Archives and Genealogy center. These archives document the history of Jewish life in Georgia and the Southeast. The collection features personal stories and historical memorabilia.
The museum’s extensive exhibition pertains to the struggles of Jewish people in Poland Germany Czechoslovakia and Greece. These struggles occurred before and during the Holocaust. You will hear stories of how Holocaust survivors came to the Southeast. They created new lives for themselves. The Breman also features oral history interviews with Holocaust survivors.
Since 1985 the archives have collected more than 2000 manuscripts and 15000 photographs. The Breman also preserves religious items family photographs and business records of Jewish families from Georgia. Volunteers established the Jewish Cemetery Association of Georgia. The association maintains a database of Jewish cemeteries and burial sites across the state.
The Breman hosts a number of programs throughout the year. These include book talks films family days and teacher workshops. These programs educate adults and children about the Holocaust. They also teach about Jewish culture and heritage. The Molly Blank Jewish Concert Series brings internationally acclaimed performers to Atlanta.
In essence The Breman Museum is a place of remembrance learning and celebration. It connects people to Jewish history art culture and heritage. Its exhibits archives and programs offer a comprehensive understanding of the Jewish experience. The Breman stands as an essential connection in the city.