Shared Appeals to Different Gods: Jews, Christians and Medieval Prayer

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

Berkeley's Center for Jewish Studies presents Elisheva Baumgarten's lecture focusing on private prayers found in Hebrew manuscripts from medieval northern France that both adapt and adopt known Christian prayers. It will trace the ways in which these prayers would have been known by Jews, and discuss the adaptations made by Jews to make these prayers usable.

Big Give 2023

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

Thursday, March 9, the whole UC Berkeley family comes together for Big Give — our annual 24-hour fundraising blitz. Take part and show your support by coming together with the Cal community to shine a light on programs like The Magnes. Let’s make this our most successful Big Give yet!

Blood Libel: On the Trail of An Antisemitic Myth

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

Berkeley's Center for Jewish Studies presents Magda Teter's lecture exploring how the medieval anti-Jewish lie about the story of Simon of Trent, a boy whose death during the Easter/Passover season in 1475 led to one of the most notorious persecutions of Jews in Europe and, as cited in 2019 by the shooter of the Poway synagogue, became rooted in Christian imagination to persist into the twenty first century US and lead to his horrific crime in California.

Closed for Private Event

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

The Magnes Collection is closed for a private rental and will not be open to the public Wednesday, April 5th and Thursday, April 6th. Learn more about planning your next event at The Magnes.

Cal Day 2023 Open House

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

Stop by to grab a kosher treat and learn about The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, the outstanding Jewish museum located right here at UC Berkeley. Enjoy exhibitions in our three galleries and discover ways you can get involved with research and programming dedicated to life in the global Jewish diaspora.

2023 Bay Area Book Festival

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

Presented by Bay Area Book Festival in partnership with the San Francisco Chronicle, the 9th Annual Bay Area Book Festival will hold seven of its programs at The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, all open to the public with free admission.

Community Conversations with Executive Director Hannah Weisman

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

Join Executive Director Hannah Weisman and museum staffers for a conversation about The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life over a cup of coffee. Hannah will share a brief update on the museum’s current activities. Bring your favorite Magnes stories from the past along with your thoughts and questions about the present and creative ideas for the future.

In My Ancestors’ Shoes: Getting Dressed in the Tenements, 1881

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

Join Vi, creator of the YouTube channel SnappyDragon, as she demonstrates how a young working-class Hungarian Jewish immigrant woman would get dressed in her best clothes for Shabbat in the Victorian-era Lower East Side. Based on the story of her own great-great-grandmother Carolina at age 19, Vi has created reproduction garments from the year 1881, […]

Community Conversations with Executive Director Hannah Weisman

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

Join Executive Director Hannah Weisman and museum staffers for a conversation about The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life over a cup of coffee. Hannah will share a brief update on the museum’s current activities. Bring your favorite Magnes stories from the past along with your thoughts and questions about the present and creative ideas for the future.

Community Conversations with Executive Director Hannah Weisman

Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, United States

Join Executive Director Hannah Weisman and museum staffers virtually for a conversation about The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life. Hannah will share a brief update on the museum’s current activities. Bring your favorite Magnes stories from the past along with your thoughts and questions about the present and creative ideas for the future. […]