Join the Jewish Museum of Maryland for a reception event celebrating the opening of “Upon Thy Gates,” an exhibition presenting mezuzahs from around the world featured in the Elaine K. and Norman Winik Mezuzah Collection, together with a selection of mezuzahs from the JMM’s own collections.

The Winiks collected mezuzahs throughout their travels to many Jewish communities. “Upon Thy Gates” — which is on loan from Portland’s Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, and curated by landscape architecture professor Kenneth I. Helphand — highlights 73 of these mezuzahs showcasing an eclectic range of styles, materials and Jewish symbols found in mezuzahs. The mezuzahs come from Denmark, England, Ethiopia, Germany, Holland, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Poland, the United States and Yemen. They date from the late 18th century to the work of contemporary artists.

In connection to the exhibition, the JMM will launch “Marking Passages: Mezuzah-Inspired Stories,” a new JMM production studio project in partnership with The Stoop storytelling series. The museum invites participants to share a story inspired by what mezuzahs evoke for them. Select stories from this project will be presented at a culminating live event at the museum next spring.

Attendees at the reception will have the opportunity to experience the exhibition in the JMM’s new Long Gallery. Plus, visit the museum’s recently opened audio/visual production studio, and take home a copy of “Mezuzah Magic,” a comic strip created by Naomi Rose Weintraub, the JMM’s public art coordinator.

Kosher refreshments will be served. The Jewish Museum is located at 15 Lloyd Street in East Baltimore, in between the historic Lloyd Street and B’nai Israel synagogues.

For questions, visit jewishmuseummd.org/event/upon-thy-gates-opening-marking-passages-launch or contact info@jewishmuseummd.org or 410.732.6400.