Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage

Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage At A Glance...

• The museum is housed in the Woodbine Brotherhood Synagogue, a brick building from 1893 that is on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Woodbine began in 1891 as an agricultural colony for Russian Jewish immigrants, and the museum tells that story across 130 years.
• The Collective Memory Wall in Brotherhood Hall is made of memories and photos contributed by the community itself.
• Survivors have spoken face to face with more than 18,000 students here through the museum's Holocaust education programs.
• Todays Sunrise: ,   Sunset:  
• New Jersey Southern Shore Region Cape May County

• Amenities:

  • Restrooms/Bathrooms

  Attractions:

  • Museum / Gallery

Contact / Location

A Brief History

Woodbine began in August 1891, when Russian Jewish settlers arrived through the philanthropy of the German Jewish industrialist Baron Maurice de Hirsch. It was started as an agricultural experiment so the new arrivals could become "of the land." Poor soil limited farming, and the town became Cape May County's manufacturing center, with its first factory in 1898.

The Baron de Hirsch Agricultural School gave jobs to teachers, most of whom were not Jewish, and other ethnic groups moved in for factory work. Woodbine grew into a multi-cultural town while keeping its founding values of education, religion and inclusion.

The Brotherhood Synagogue was built in 1893 and consecrated as an Orthodox shul in 1896. The museum director calls the building a living memorial; bar and bat mitzvahs, Shabbat services and High Holiday services are still held in the restored sanctuary.

Programs / Education

Since 2005 the museum has been the designated teaching site for Cape May County of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust and Genocide Education. Its Holocaust education programs have brought survivors face to face with more than 18,000 students over two decades.

The museum is a frequent choice for class trips, and student visits cover world history, national history and local New Jersey history.

Things to See & Do

The permanent panel exhibits are the core of a visit. The panels cover the Woodbine Heritage Timeline, Arts and Culture, Baron de Hirsch and Americanization, Woodbine Sports, Farming and Factories, the Woodbine Brotherhood Synagogue, the Baron de Hirsch Agricultural School, Woodbine Success Stories and The Value of Education.

A rotating exhibit sits alongside them; the one listed on the museum's site is "Once Upon a Time in Woodbine: The Levy Family." Brotherhood Hall also holds the community-contributed Collective Memory Wall.

From home, the museum's Visual Archive page sorts historic photos into groups such as Architecture, Baron de Hirsch, Businesses, Churches, Factory Buildings, Farmers, Police and Fire Department, the Woodbine Train Station, Woodbine Cemeteries and Woodbine Schools.

Hours / Season of Operation

Open to the public Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM. Other times are possible by special request through Executive Director Jane Stark, by phone at 609-861-5355 or through the contact form on the museum's site.

Woodbine is in northwest Cape May County. Belleplain State Forest, the area's large outdoor destination, also uses a Woodbine address.

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