Museum & Archives - About Us

About Us

Who We Are

Beth Ahabah Museum & Archives is Richmond's museum of Jewish history, art and culture. It is located in the Fan District of Richmond, in the Congregation Beth Ahabah administration building , just west of the sanctuary building.

Kahal Kadosh (K.K.) Beth Shalome (Holy Congregation, House of Peace) was the first Jewish Congregation in Virginia and the sixth in the United States. It was founded in 1789 in Richmond. K.K. Beth Ahabah (House of Love) was founded in 1841. The two congregations consolidated in 1898. Beth Ahabah preserved the histories of both congregations, and established an Archives committee in the 1950's. Beth Ahabah Museum & Archives was formally established in the late 1970's. It now interprets the history of the entire Jewish Community of Richmond through its archival collection and public exhibitions.

Our Mission

The Beth Ahabah Museum & Archives collects, preserves, and exhibits materials that relate to Jewish history and culture - with particular emphasis on Richmond, Virginia - so that Jewish history and culture may be documented, interpreted and passed on to future generations.

Officers and Board of Trustees

Tony Wharton, President
Cathy Rolfe, Secretary 

Jennifer Lange, Past President

Woody Beach,  Amy Mendelson Cheeley, Steve Ecker, Renate Forssmann-Falck, Mark Novey, Roberta Opper, Ken Roeper, Rachel Schmidt, Cullen Seltzer, Jordan Soloman, Amy Becker-Leibowitz                                                                                                                                                                       

Contact Us

Beth Ahabah Museum & Archives
1121 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220-3700

(804) 353-2668

bama@bethahabah.org

Dana Isaacoff, Executive Director
Tracy Herman, Archivist