The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage has kicked off a new season of all-virtual public programs with its first-ever virtual launch event for Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, presented locally by PNC Bank.
On the evening of the exhibition’s public opening, Notorious RBG authors Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik took the virtual stage via Zoom to share insights about their book and the transformative figure who inspired it all. The event gathered 700+ registrations from Northeast Ohio and beyond – more than doubling attendance records for a launch event in the museum’s 15-year history. The success was followed by admission tickets selling out in the first week.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of positive feedback from guests who attended the virtual launch event and also from those who have explored the exhibition, in person and online,” said David Schafer, managing director of the Maltz Museum. “The success of the virtual launch event,” Schafer explained, “is a direct result of trying something new. We were able to offer significantly more virtual seats than would have been possible in person. And, for anyone considering a trip to the museum, please know that you must buy a timed ticket in advance, wear a face mask and practice social distancing.”
The exhibition is based on the New York Times bestselling book of the same name and created in partnership with its authors, Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik. It uses archival photographs and documents, historical artifacts, contemporary art, media stations and gallery interactives to explore the American legal system and civil rights movements through the lens of RBG’s personal experiences and public service. Like the book, it also examines her varied roles as a student, life partner, mother, change-making lawyer, judge, women’s rights pioneer and pop culture icon.
More exhibition-related programs inspired by the life and legacy of RBG aren’t drawing virtual crowds quite as large as the launch event; but, so far, the verdict from attendees is that the intimate programs are equally compelling.
APRIL PROGRAM LIST
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1 P.M., ONLINE
SCRIPT CLUB: THE GREEN BOOK BY CALVIN ALEXANDER RAMSEY
Join Faye Sholitan of Interplay Jewish Theatre and gather around the virtual table to read and discuss theater scripts that thematically connect to RBG’s life and legacy, including The Green Book (April), and Gloria – A Life (May). $5 general; Free for members
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 12 P.M., ONLINE
GALLERY TALK: JUSTICES SCALIA AND GINSBURG, AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP
Reach across the aisle this April in the spirit of Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia, and their famous friendship that overcame political divides. Join civil rights attorney Ashlie Case Sletvold, president of the William K. Thomas American Inn of Court and founder of The Ginsburg-Scalia Project, advancing the practice of civility, to explore a friendship that’s inspiring a movement. $10 general; $5 for members (Note: This program qualifies for CLE credit through the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assoc., $40 contact cle@clemetrobar.org)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 4 P.M.
MY STORY: ERICA GOLD AND HELEN MARKS WITH SARAH WEISS
Inspired by the upcoming special exhibition, Notorious RBG. Join us for monthly conversations between exceptional local Cleveland women who have created their own path, simultaneously paving the way for others, followed by audience Q&A. Holocaust survivors Erika Gold and Helen Marks have spent decades bravely telling their harrowing stories of survival to students and adults alike, reliving horrific and painful memories in order to share truths of human history with the next generation. In honor of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day which is this month, join Sarah Weiss, CEO of Holocaust and Humanity Center in Cincinnati, as she interviews these two fascinating and fearless women. $10 general; Free for members
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 12 P.M.
BOOK DISCUSSION: NOTORIOUS RBG
Join attorney Karen Giffen, co-founder of the law firm Giffen and Kaminski and frequent author and presenter on women and diversity in a book discussion on Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, by Irin Carmon and Shana Knishnik, on which the Maltz Museum’s new exhibition is based. Presented in partnership with Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assoc. and Literary Cleveland. $10 general; $5 for members (Note: This program qualifies for CLE credit through the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assoc., $40 contact cle@clemetrobar.org)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 4 P.M., ONLINE
WOMEN WHO ROAR: MANDY SMITH ON ROARING WOMEN MUSICIANS
Throughout American history, music has been one of the most powerful ways women have raised their voices. From the protest folk anthems of the 1960s to the self-love empowerment pop songs of today, music has allowed many women a chance to roar. Join Mandy Smith of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame- live from inside the Rock Hall! — to learn about three Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees–Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Carole King and Janet Jackson— and how these women shaped the music we listen to today. $10 general; Free for members
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1:30 P.M., ONLINE
FAMILY FUN: LET’S MAKE MUSIC!
This family friendly program, inspired by the Maltz Museum’s special exhibition, Notorious: RBG, presented locally by PNC Bank, is a celebration of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s love of music and family values! Together with the ambassadors of the JFSA Cleveland’s Horvitz YouthAbility program, we’ll explore even more about her unique qualities– like her ability to make friends with those who were different than her– through a pre-recorded interview with her son Jim Ginsburg — a Grammy-award winning classical music producer! Together we will sing songs and create our own music using everyday household items as instruments. After you register and prior to the program, you’ll receive song lyrics and a list of household objects to have ready for this interactive experience. Free with advance registration.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 4 P.M., ONLINE
I DISSENT: DISCUSSION ON ELECTION & VOTING RIGHTS
In this monthly series, you’ll learn about the Supreme Court cases that led to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s most influential dissents, through discussions with legal experts and social justice advocates. On April 21, tune in for a discussion on election and employment practices and the case of Ledbetter v. Goodyear with Rosalina M. Fini, Chief Legal & Ethics Officer, Cleveland Metroparks, Kerin Kaminski, Co-Founding Partner, Giffen & Kaminski LLC, and Roni Sokol, Founder, The Sokol Law Firm. $10 general; Free for members. (Note: This program qualifies for CLE credit through the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assoc., $40 contact cle@clemetrobar.org)
Please note: All public programs are virtual and require advance registration for participation.
The exhibition, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg was organized by the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and will be on view at the Maltz Museum in Beachwood through Aug. 29, 2021, offering in-person visits and online through virtual tours. For more information, please contact tours@mmjh.org, call 216-593-0575, or visit www.maltzmuseum.org.
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The exhibition Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and its related educational programs at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage are made possible through local presenting sponsor: PNC Bank. Along with support from the following donors: Grant and Jennifer Dinner, Bob and Sally Gries, Alan and Karen Krause, Milt and Tamar Maltz, and John P. Murphy Foundation.
About PNC Bank
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.
About the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
Located approximately twenty minutes from downtown Cleveland in the suburb of Beachwood, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is an award-winning building crafted from Jerusalem stone and glass walls, uniquely set into the landscape. Housing two permanent collections and a gallery dedicated to presenting world-class special exhibitions, the Maltz Museum is rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, telling universal stories of hope, perseverance, and resilience that educate, inform, and inspire a more just, civil, and inclusive society.
Visiting the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
Address: 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, OH 44122
For Tickets: Call 216-593-0575 or go online www.maltzmuseum.org
Museum Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
Admission: $12 General; $10 Students & Seniors, $5 Children 5–11. Exhibitions are always FREE for Maltz Museum Members.
