It’s official!

The Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association officially opened the doors to its new office and archives Jan. 21 with a reception and the dedication of the donor wall.

Now housed near the first floor entrance to the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center at 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, the space was designed specifically for the organization. At the front is office space with glass-front cases to display some of the archives that the public might be interested in looking at, such as the mannequin from the Abramowitz family’s pushcart. Included are cases from the Temple Beth-El library of long ago, now repurposed for displaying books at RIJHA. Hanging above these cases are framed items from the archives.

The donor wall is to the right of the entrance.

Behind the office is the remainder of the archives of the RIJHA, organized for easy access by those doing research or with an interest in the history of the Jewish community in Rhode Island. Lighting is optimal for preservation of the collection.

You can never have enough space and that is the case with the RIJHA archives. Some of the collection remains in storage.

About 50 people took advantage of the opportunity to see the new space. To contact the RIJHA, call 401-331-1360 and leave a message or email info@rijha.org. The RIJHA is operating on shortened hours until May.

         Fran Ostendorf, editor of The Jewish Voice.