Accessibility
Reading Room
Mon-Thurs: 9:30am-4:30pm
Genealogy Institute
Tues-Thurs: 9:30am-4:30pm
Exhibit Spaces
Mon-Wed: 9:30am-4:30pm
Thurs: 9:30am-8pm
Fri: 10am-3pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: 11am-5pm
Please note: The Center will be closed to the public on December 5 for a private event.
Make sure to check our holiday closures prior to visiting.
Last entry to the Center for Jewish History Exhibitions, Reading Room, and the Genealogy Institute is 30 minutes before closing. The last call to page items in the Reading Room and Genealogy Institute is 3pm.
The Center for Jewish History welcomes all visitors and strives to ensure that its exhibitions, programs and public facilities are accessible to everyone. We recognize the diversity of our general public's needs and offer a variety of services to ensure the accessibility of the Center. We hope to provide the most inclusive environment for every Center for Jewish History visitor.
All public areas of the Center, including the Leo and Julia Forchheimer Auditorium, the Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Great Hall, the Valentin M. Blavatnik Orientation Theater, the Selma L. Batkin Mezzanine, the classroom/meeting rooms as well as all galleries are wheelchair accessible.
Patrons with mobility disabilities who do not have access to a wheelchair may request a wheelchair free of charge. Wheelchairs are available in the main lobby on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on all floors of the Center.
For patrons who wish to transfer to a seat from their wheelchair, we will store your wheelchair. Please alert the staff if you will need assistance during intermission. Upon completion of the event, the staff member will return your wheelchair to you at your seat.
Please notify us at programs@cjh.org if you will be attending a program in the auditorium and would like to reserve one of our accessible seats, either in the front row or back row. If you prefer to sit in the front, please be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the event begins.
The Center for Jewish History can offer sign language interpretation upon request. Requests for sign language interpreters can best be fulfilled when received at least 2 weeks prior to the event, workshop, or visit. Requests for sign language interpreters are subject to the availability of a qualified interpreter(s) and are provided at the discretion of the management although we make every effort to fulfill all requests received. Please contact inquiries@cjh.org or 212.294.8301 with any requests or questions.
The Lillian Goldman Reference Services Division and Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute have computers that are equipped with NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) screen reader software. This software allows patrons who are blind or have low vision to browse websites, including our catalog, with a text screen-reader. Patrons interested in using this software are strongly advised to consult the American Foundation for the Blind’s free online tutorials in advance. Please ask a librarian if you would like to borrow headphones or need assistance in opening this software.
Assistive listening devices are available for patrons who are deaf or have hearing loss. Specifically, we provide the Williams FM/WIFI System. Please see the Box Office Attendant upon your arrival at the Center to arrange for the use of an Assistive Listening Device. You will be required to leave valid identification such as a driver's license as collateral. There are limited Assistive Listening Devices available and will be given out on a first come first served basis. There is no charge for this service.
Service animals are welcome in the Center for Jewish History.
The Center for Jewish History personnel have been properly trained in emergency evacuation procedures to ensure the safe evacuation of all patrons, including those guests with disabilities, in the case of an emergency. Additional emergency staff will be assigned to the accessible seating areas to provide assistance to patrons with disabilities. Please pay careful attention to their instructions.
Please call our Security Department at 212.294.8351 for any security related concerns.