The Jewish Comics Experience
May 3, 2026 - August 23, 2026
Special Exhibition
On view May 3, 2026 – August 23, 2026
About The Exhibition
Discover the powerful fusion of Jewish culture, history, and artistic expression through the lens of graphic storytelling in this dynamic traveling exhibition from the Center for Jewish History. The Jewish Comics Experience examines a wide range of Jewish themes and identities in comics, recognizing the diverse roots that have contributed to this unique art form. The exhibition explores how the industry has evolved over the last century, tackling subjects from identity and the combatting of antisemitism to the changing face of the medium itself.
The “Museum” section of the exhibit features original artworks and historical artifacts spanning from classic newspaper strips to contemporary graphic novels. Visitors will explore five distinct micro-exhibits that capture historic moments in the medium, including The Jewish Origins of the Comic Book Industry, A Brief History of Yiddish Comics, and Sephardi Identity and Memory in Comics. This section also dives into the “Golden Age” with exhibits focused on Jewish Comics that Fought against Fascism and Hebrew children’s publications from 1945-48, featuring iconic characters and rare archival pieces. The Maltz Museum’s presentation of The Jewish Comics Experience will include a section focusing on Cleveland’s rich history of comic book creators and artists called Cleveland: Home of Heroes!
This exhibition features an immersive area where visitors are invited to visually craft a comic book character through hands-on play. Visitors will learn the elements of sequential art and be instructed in the use of iconography to tell stories. By engaging with the tools of the form, visitors immerse themselves in the process of making comics.
Exciting events and programming for all ages will be offered through the duration of The Jewish Comics Experience.
Save the date: Sunday, July 12th, 2026 for a community-wide celebration featuring local and national comic book makers, artists, and fans. Check our Program Calendar Page for updates about this and other events as they become available.