Eastern State Debuts a New Permanent Exhibit Exploring Religious Freedom, Jewish Life, and the Nation’s First Prison Synagogue

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (June 30, 2026) — Eastern State today announced the opening of Freedom Through Faith: Judaism at Eastern State and Beyond, a new permanent exhibition exploring the history of Jewish life and religious freedom within America's first penitentiary. Opening to the public on Thursday, July 2, the exhibit is free with admission.  

The first synagogue established within a U.S. prison in 1922 and restored in 2009 serves as the focal point of the exhibition, offering a unique look at the people inside Eastern State and the surrounding community. Through the stories of incarcerated individuals, chaplains, Jewish organizations, prison officials, and supporters, visitors will discover how faith sustained dignity and belonging within prison walls. Letters, photographs, and historical artifacts reveal how a dedicated community came together to create a sacred space unlike any other in the United States. Together, these voices reveal how religious liberty was fought for, practiced, and protected at Eastern State, underscoring the enduring significance of freedom of conscience in places of incarceration. 

As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Freedom Through Faith examines how one of America's founding ideals — religious liberty — was experienced at Eastern State. The exhibition traces how incarcerated individuals and community leaders worked together to establish the nation's first prison synagogue, revealing a powerful story of religious freedom, civic engagement, and hope. Visitors will also explore how questions of religious liberty in prisons continue to shape legal and constitutional debates today. 

By the time of his passing in 1928, Alfred W. Fleisher had worked with the larger Jewish community, both inside Eastern State and beyond its gates, in partnership with organizations like The Jewish Federation, to establish the first synagogue in a U.S. prison. Named in his honor, the Alfred W. Fleisher Memorial Synagogue was a remarkable achievement within an 18th-century American prison that was, by design, a thoroughly Christian institution. 

“We are so excited to open our newest permanent exhibition, especially in such a powerful year to explore this remarkable story,” said Dr. Kerry Sautner, President and CEO of Eastern State. “In 1913, in the very place that invented solitary confinement, a small group of civically minded Philadelphians came together to build a community rooted in faith and belonging. Their work was revolutionary then, and we still have much to learn from it today.” 

“In this exhibition, you will meet the people who sustained Jewish life within these walls,” Sautner continued. “You'll discover how they worked together to build the synagogue, support one another, and create a system of reentry that continues to influence best practices today. This is a powerful sacred space that all Americans should visit and learn from.” 

Freedom Through Faith explores the history of Jewish life at Eastern State through personal stories, archival materials, letters, photographs, and historical artifacts. Using the restored synagogue as its focal point, the exhibition examines how faith, religious freedom, and human connection shaped the experiences of incarcerated individuals and those who supported them. 

Highlights of the exhibition include: 

• Stories of the incarcerated individuals, chaplains, Jewish organizations, prison officials, and supporters who helped sustain Jewish life at Eastern State 
• Personal letters, photographs, artifacts, and archival materials documenting religious practice, family support, and community formation within a place of confinement 
• Significant milestones in Jewish life at Eastern State, including early High Holiday observances, the prison's first Jewish chaplain, and the formation of a Jewish congregation 
• Stories of synagogue construction and preservation  
• Eastern State's restored synagogue, the first synagogue established within a U.S. prison 
• Exploration of 150 years of legal struggles for religious freedom in sites of incarceration in America 
• Broader themes highlighting human dignity, reentry, and civic engagement 

This project is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program, a program funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

Eastern State gratefully acknowledges the generous supporters who made this exhibition possible, including The McLean Contributionship; Philadelphia City Fund's 2026 Milestone Grant Fund, supported by PECO; The Reichlin and Tuck Families; Aileen and Brian Roberts; Robert L. Freedman; Sara Jane Elk; and Jill F. Bonovitz in honor of Robert H. and Janet S. Fleisher. 

Freedom Through Faith is part of A Time for Liberty: Our Shared History, Our Shared Future, Eastern State's Semiquincentennial initiative featuring a yearlong series of free, inclusive programs that explore the evolving meanings of liberty and justice in America. Details on the exhibit can be found online HERE. Photos can be found HERE.

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About Eastern State
Eastern State preserves America’s first penitentiary, advancing public understanding of the criminal justice system and its impact on the lives of those affected by it, to inspire a more just future. For more information, visit EasternState.org and follow Eastern State on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube.