From North Dakota to the North Side

The Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest (JHSUM) is the leading organization in the region dedicated to telling the story of Jewish history — from North Dakota to Minneapolis’ North Side, and everything in between.

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Founded in 1984, JHSUM was originally a labor of love and scholarship, begun by community members who were concerned that local Jewish stories were preserved for the next generations. Housed first at Hamline University and then eventually the Sabes Jewish Community Center, JHSUM collected materials while also providing programming and scholarship to understand the Midwestern Jewish experience. 

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In 2012, the archival collections were transferred to the University of Minnesota Libraries as they became the

Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives, located in the Elmer L. Andersen Library. The two organizations, while now separate entities, continue to work together with their common missions of uplifting local Jewish history.

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With the archival collection permanently and safely housed elsewhere, JHSUM could turn its full attention to interpretation, publications, events, and special projects.

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Learn about our full range of current programs.

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We continue to use our passion for history to expand our knowledge of the ways Jewish history intersects with and informs the culture around us

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