48 Jews: Layers of Identity
March 6 - September 6, 2026
Opening Event: Thursday, March 5, 7 p.m.
Discover a vibrant celebration of Jewish identity through bold portraiture. In this deeply reflective series, artist Jac Lahav reimagines how we see cultural icons — inviting each visitor to rethink identity, heritage, and the power of representation.
The plurality and complexity of modern Jewish identity in the Diaspora (people who have spread or been dispersed from their homeland) emerge through a vivid portrait series by contemporary artist Abshalom Jac Lahav. Public images of Jewish icons, translated into paintings with shifting representational styles, celebrate contributions, challenge assumptions, and raise questions.
From Golda Meir and Harry Houdini to Albert Einstein, Emma Lazarus, and even Elvis Presley, the range of figures invites reflection on layered identities across time and place, prompting conversations about creativity, community, and what it means to be Jewish today.
This exhibit starts conversations by bringing together faces from across time and culture. 48 Jews invites every visitor to reflect on the layers that make up identity, whether that be personal, cultural, spiritual, and historical.
Featured Portraits Gallery
What You’ll See & Feel
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Powerful Portraits: Each image captures not just a face, but a story — inviting reflection on personal and collective identity.
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Diverse Icons: The subjects in the series span time, place, and influence, showing the many ways Jewish identity resonates in art, politics, thought, and pop culture.
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Thought-Provoking Themes: The work encourages visitors to think about what it means to belong to a community, to be shaped by history, and to express identity through creativity and action.
Organized and curated by Jewish Museum Milwaukee.
About the Artist
Jac Lahav is a New York–based painter known for blending historical imagery with contemporary portraiture to question how identity and cultural memory intersect in modern life. His 48 Jews series has been exhibited widely and continues to grow in depth and impact.
Programs
Opening Preview
Thursday, March 5, 7:00 p.m.
Join us for a special open preview, offering the public an early opportunity to experience 48 Jews: Layers of Identity before the exhibition fully opens.
- Meet the artist: Hear directly from Abshalom Jac Lahav about his creative process and the ideas behind the portraits.
- Celebrate identity and culture: Experience thought-provoking art that sparks conversation about identity, history, and community.
- Connect with others: Enjoy a festive reception with light bites, drinks, and dialogue in a welcoming atmosphere.
Jewish Community Relations Council’s 2026 Robert & Jennie Chortek Annual Seminar Presents:
What Multicultural & Interfaith Democracy Looks Like with Eric Ward
Wednesday, March 11, 6:00 p.m. | Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun
Renowned civil rights leader Eric K. Ward will share how antisemitism, anti-Black racism, and Islamophobia work together to undermine democracy and will deliver a call to action to build solidarity across communities and show up for one another. Reception sponsored by Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Corporate Partnership Program, Nathan & Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, Jewish Museum Milwaukee, and Jewish Community Foundation.
A Tribute to Helen Daniels Bader: Belonging and Becoming (+ Free Museum Admission)
Wednesday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Each year, May twentieth marks a special convergence: Helen Daniels Bader’s birthday, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Jewish Heritage Month. Together, these observances invite us to consider identity in all its fullness: the parts we inherit, the parts we choose, and the parts that change as we grow. Throughout the museum, you are invited to explore interactive activities, quiet creative spaces, shared stories, and moments of reflection that encourage you to consider what shapes your identity — and how we, collectively, shape one another.
Additional programs, tours, and educational offerings related to the exhibition will be announced soon.
Tours
A group tour at Jewish Museum Milwaukee includes discounted admission for all members of your group and guided explorations of our exhibit by a trained docent. You may also choose to book an after-hours tour of the museum for an additional cost.
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Admission
Adults – $9.00
Seniors (60+) – $8.00
Students – $6.00
Children (6 and under) – Free
Museum Members – Free
Disabled Visitors* – $6.00
Museums for All* – $3.00
Active Duty Military* – Free
Sponsors
Anonymous Foundation*
ANON Charitable Trust*
Ettinger Family Foundation
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Susan Lubar
Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation
Joseph R. Pabst at the Cream City Foundation
Jane & Stephen Chernof
Neena & Richard Florsheim
Christine Gould
Milwaukee Arts Board
Cathy & Randall Nemerovski
Gene & Ruth Posner Foundation
WE Energies Foundation
Shirley Bankier & Mark Plotkin*
Dori Frankel Steigman and Jason Steigman
*Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation
Support the Exhibit
Jewish Museum Milwaukee depends on the generous support of sponsors and community partners to present impactful exhibitions. Your contribution helps preserve and share these important stories, ensuring they continue to educate and inspire future generations.
About the Images
All images created by Jac Lahav. Oil on canvas, 24 x 24 in. 48 Jews series.
Banner (left to right):
1. Cantor (Gladys Mae Sellers, AKA, Madame Goldye Steiner), 2026;
2. Triple Play (Hank Greenberg), 2026;
3. 1974 (Golda Meir), 2026;
4. Sparrow Song (Bob Dylan), 2026;
5. Notorious in Red (Ruth Bader Ginsburg), 2018;
6. Drift of Thought (Elie Wiesel) (v3), 2013
Carousel (left to right):
1. Blue Layer (Albert Einstein) (v2), 2013;
2. Clouds of Aberdeen (Helen Daniels Bader), 2026;
3. Fishy Fishy (Gene Wilder), 2026;
4. Lifted Lamps (Emma Lazarus), 2026;
5. Song From The Yellow River (Zhao Yingche), 2026