Chevy Chase resident and director of the Greater Washington Jewish Historical Society, Laura Cohen Apelbaum, will recall the history of the Jewish community in the Washington area and its contributions to the region's business and civic life. The narrative begins in 1795 with Washington's first Jewish resident and continues today with a Jewish community of more than 215,000. Personalities such as John Hechinger, whom President Lyndon Johnson appointed the first Chairman of the District of Columbia Council, and Charles Liebermann, a Jewish physician who was called to President Abraham Lincoln's bedside after Lincoln was shot, are among important Jewish citizens to be highlighted. Apelbaum also will describe the preservation and restoration of Washington's oldest synagogue.

The Chevy Chase Historical Society is pleased to announce this series of occasional, informal programs for area residents who love history. This program offers neighbors guided visits to historic sites, roundtables led by distinguished speakers, and further exploration of history both inside and outside the neighborhood.  To join the contact list for future programs, email Susan Elwell at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call 301-657-1874.

 Click here for examples of our previous events.