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Free Museum Month at SF’s Contemporary Jewish Museum (thru Dec. 15)

Sunday, November 17, 2024 - 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Book free tickets at thecjm.org

Contemporary Jewish Museum | 736 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA

Free / RSVP

Free Museum Month at SF’s Contemporary Jewish Museum (thru Dec. 15)

The Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) in San Francisco has, unfortunately, announced it will temporarily close its galleries for at least one year, beginning December 16, 2024, due to financial challenges.

The good news (if there is any, here) is that in order to give the public an opportunity to experience the museum before the closure, CJM is offering free admission through December 15, 2024 waiving the usual $16 entry fee.

Contemporary Jewish Museum
Visit for free through December 15, 2024
Open Thursdays through Sundays | 11a-5p (closed Thanksgiving)
Book Free Tickets

Current Exhibitions

  • California Jewish Open – Transdisciplinary artist Nicki Green’s first museum solo exhibition delves into questions of identity, transformation, and reinvention of Jewish traditions through new and existing artworks in ceramic, installation, fiber, and more.
  • Nicki Green: Firmament – Marking the first time the space has been activated in this way since the building’s opening, Bay Area artist Leah Rosenberg transforms The CJM’s Yud Gallery through light and color, creating a welcoming environment for visitors to reflect, rest, and wonder.
  • L’Chaim: Celebrating Our Building at 15 – This exhibition delves into the deep symbolism imbued in The CJM’s iconic building, inspired by the Hebrew phrase l’chaim (“to life”).

The CJM’s current home, designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, opened in 2008 and uniquely combines the historic 1881 power station with a bold blue geometric structure. This architectural fusion, inspired by the Hebrew word “chai” (meaning “life”), has made the building a recognizable part of San Francisco’s cultural landscape. With free admission through mid-December, visitors can explore both the exhibits and this distinctive building before the temporary pause.

The museum’s Board of Trustees emphasized that this closure is a proactive measure to stabilize finances and plan for the future, rather than a permanent shutdown. The Board has likened this period to a “Sabbath” pause, giving time for planning and exploration of new ways to reach audiences and ensure long-term sustainability.

Since its founding, the CJM has worked to foster understanding of Jewish culture, counter antisemitism, and serve the Bay Area community. As the museum prepares for its sabbatical, it encourages visitors to enjoy its galleries, exhibitions, and architecture at no cost through December 15.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE*
*Book free tickets at thecjm.org
Categories: *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, Discount Tix / Promo Codes, Downtown San Francisco, Free Museum Day, In Person
Address: 736 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA

Sunday, November 17, 2024

8:00 am   SF’s “Friend Run” 2024 (Golden Gate Park to The Presidio)  FREE*
*Pitch in for tshirts if you can! Post run food is not included
9:00 am   Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile  FREE
9:30 am   California Academy of Sciences: Tis the Season for Science  $39.95*
*prices for adults seem to start at 39.95 but can go up based on demand
9:45 am   Lower Nob Hill Cleanup w/ Free Lunch for Volunteers (SF)  FREE
10:00 am   2024 Temple Israel Holiday Fest (Alameda)  FREE
10:00 am   SF’s Free “Sundays at the Beach” Tai Chi Day (Great Highway)  FREE
10:00 am   Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month at St. Mark’s Square  FREE*
*FREE!
10:00 am   “Manny’s Neighborhood Trash Cleanup” w/ $1 Beer & Free Yoga Classes, Free Fries (SF)  FREE*
*Sign up on this TogetherSF Mobilize page: https://www.mobilize.us/togethersf/event/444979/
10:30 am   Choir Blast Sunday  FREE*
*Admission is free. Donations are welcome and will be (donations are appreciated and will be shared with the Coalition of Concerned Medical Professionals, and Combatants for Peace
10:30 am   Storytime Sunday with Nicole and Isabella  FREE
11:00 am   The 1st Ever “Major League” Ping-Pong League Comes to Bay Area (Nov. 15-17)  $24.45*
*Tickets for adult general admission start at $24.45
11:00 am   ParkPilates Outdoor Mat Pilates and Fall Floral Arrangement Social  $19*
*Includes cost of flowers and pilates class
11:00 am   Peace and Social Justice Harvest Fair (Palo Alto)  FREE
11:00 am   Garden Volunteer Day at Hayes Valley Art Works  FREE*
*Free! Bring your gardening gloves!
11:00 am   “Rock the Boat” Free Rowing Day at India Basin Waterfront Park (SF)  FREE
11:00 am   Free Biohacking Open House at The Portal  FREE*
*Totally free! Show up early to reserve a slot!
11:00 am   “Lindy in the Park” Swing Dance Party (Golden Gate Park)  FREE*
*Weather permitting (rain cancels)
All Day   2024 San Francisco Fall Restaurant Week (Final Day)  $10*
*Brunch or Lunch (2+ Items or Courses): $10, $15, $25, $35, $45 Dinner (3+ Items or Courses): $30, $45, $60, $75, $90
12:00 pm   SF’s “Castro Stroll” Art Walk (Every 3rd Sunday)  FREE
12:00 pm   “49er Sunday Football” Watch Party at Westwood (SF)  FREE*
*No cover
12:00 pm   Castro Stroll – Holiday Shopping (SF)  FREE
12:30 pm   Top 10 Tips for Grant, Fellowship, & Residency Applications  $10*
*$5 For Members / $10 For General Admission.
1:00 pm   Performance: Native American Poetry Celebration (SF Main Library)  FREE
1:00 pm   Two-Hour Ramen Making Workshop at The Story of Ramen  $75*
*Buy tickets in advance
1:00 pm   Golden Gate Park Sunday Roller Disco Party (SF)  FREE
2:00 pm   Performance: Echoes of Maya: A Celebration of Voice and Verse (SF Main Library)  FREE
2:30 pm   Chinatown Playdate for 6-10 Year Olds w/ Outdoor and Indoor Playgrounds  FREE*
*event is free, all attendees must register
3:00 pm   Archives in the Crocodile: The Tebtunis Crocodile Papyri  FREE*
*Free, Period.
3:00 pm   BYYEE Summer Rooftop Party (Oakland)  FREE*
*Free Entry with RSVP
3:00 pm   SF’s “Mozart to Mendelssohn” Free Full Orchestra Concerts (Nov. 17-July 6)  FREE*
*Free Concert – Donations Accepted – Suggested Donation $10 - $20
4:00 pm   Taylor Dance Party  $5*
*Pre sale tix are $5
4:00 pm   Voices Unbound: The Sound of Instinct  $25*
*$25 GA, $40 VIP, community tickets available at no cost
5:00 pm   Born Gala 2024  $200*
*Ticket includes includes event entry, plated dinner & drinks
5:00 pm   Larry Fuller Trio  $25
6:00 pm   FREE: Oakland “HellaSecret” Comedy Show (Sunday)  FREE*
*Limited free tickets with code FUNCHEAP (donations appreciated). Otherwise use code FUNCHEAP5 for $5 off early bird and general admission tickets
6:00 pm   Discussion: “Two Countries” Within This Country “The Whole Damn System’s Got To Go!”  FREE*
*Donations are welcome at the door
6:00 pm   Mainstage Karaoke Sundays  FREE
7:00 pm   Free Tix: HellaSecret “Desi Comedy Night” Live in SF (7p + 8:45p)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP for first 100 people. $25 at door without RSVP
7:00 pm   Free Tix: “Laff Baked” Sunday Night Cannabis Comedy Show (2024)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
7:00 pm   ShadowDance XV: 15th Anniversary Celebration at The Great Northern  $50*
*$50-$55.20
7:00 pm   Free Sunday Comedy Night at SF’s Newest Comedy Club (The Function)  FREE*
*Limited Free Tickets. Otherwise Get 50% Off Tickets w/ code FUNCHEAP - GA starts at $12.51 (fee included) instead of $22.51
7:00 pm   Latin Sundays at The Music City Underground  $10*
*Latin Sundays: USD 10.00
7:30 pm   Big Head Todd and the Monsters  $54.85
7:30 pm   The Jim Bruno Trio + Tom Scarpino (Matinée)  $17*
*$3 off each ticket when you use the code earlybird5 at checkout. Offer ends November 10th.
7:30 pm   Media Meltdown Movie Madhouse: “Draghoula” feat. Bat Noise  $15
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