House approves bill to study making US Jewish history museum part of the Smithsonian

(JTA) — American Jews are one step closer to having a Smithsonian museum dedicated to their history.

The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill Monday to study the possibility of bringing the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, in Philadelphia, under the Smithsonian umbrella.

The Weitzman, as it is known, is considered the premier museum of Jewish history in the United States and already has an affiliation with the Smithsonian. Full membership in the Smithsonian network of museums would unlock federal funding opportunities and confer additional prestige on the We...