San Francisco, CA – The Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) announced the commencement of construction on its new Museum facility.  The new building, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, will open in the Spring of 2008 in the Yerba Buena cultural district located in the South of Market (SoMA) neighborhood near the heart of downtown San Francisco.  In addition, the Museum announced that it has reached 78% of its comprehensive capital campaign goal.  Led by board chair Roselyne “Cissie” Swig and members of the Board of Trustees, the comprehensive capital campaign aims to raise $77 million to provide financial security and long-term stability for the Museum.  The CJM’s comprehensive capital campaign includes funds for the $46 million building costs, endowment and operations.

“This is a proud moment in the Museum's history, and we look forward to sharing the building and its exhibitions and programs with our extended, diverse community and national and international visitors” said Swig.  “In its new location opposite Yerba Buena Gardens, the Museum is poised to become a popular destination site for a myriad of visitors and an enhancement of the San Francisco cultural landscape.”

With three floors and approximately 63,000 square feet of space, the new facility allows the CJM to expand its exhibitions and educational programs and bring contemporary Jewish perspectives on culture, history, art and ideas to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.  The new Museum includes increased exhibition space for the CJM to present original exhibitions, host traveling exhibitions and showcase collaborative exhibitions with Museums from around the world.  An education center provides additional room to offer corresponding educational programs that reflect the CJM’s commitment to exploring the Jewish spirit and imagination.  The new facility also houses special events spaces, auditorium and meeting rooms, café, Museum shop, administrative offices and storage areas.

“When the Museum opens, it will serve San Francisco as a lively center that brings together people, art and ideas to celebrate the culture of the Jewish experience,” said Connie Wolf, director and CEO of The Contemporary Jewish Museum.  “The support for the Museum is inspiring and we all benefit from the generosity of our donors.  We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this incredible effort.” 

In 1998, the CJM selected Daniel Libeskind’s design for the Museum’s new building, his first on the West Coast.  His design is an adaptive re-use the historic Jessie Street Power Substation, located at 736 Mission Street.  The design preserves the character defining features of the landmark structure, including the brick southern façade, trusses, skylights and open space.  It also makes this distinctive San Francisco building accessible to the public for the first time in its nearly 100-year history.

Characteristic of Libeskind’s designs for Jewish organizations, the extension to the original structure is resonant with Jewish ideas.  These include utilizing the highly symbolic Hebrew letters ‘chet’ and ‘yud,’ key letters in the word “L’Chaim,” meaning “To Life!”  From the outside of the building, the addition will be noticeable for its unique shape, as well as its skin: a vibrant blue metallic stainless steel.

For further information about The Contemporary Jewish Museum’s new building project, please visit www.thecjm.org.