Naomi Wilzig
From Pompeii to Picasso to Botero, the fascinating collection of erotic art at the World Erotic Art Museum is a result of an adventure in antiquing and a desire to help her eldest son by finding erotic art for his new apartment. As Naomi Wilzig tells it, “I was visiting and shopping in antique stores around the northeast US as a hobby. When my son made this request, I thought it would be an easy task, but how wrong I was!” It took years of building relationships with antique dealers to uncover the artifacts and then to Along the way, Naomi began collecting for herself on to amass the collection presently located on Miami Beach.
Naomi Sisselman Wilzig was born, raised, educated and married in New Jersey. Her husband, Siggi, an Auschwitz survivor, was CEO and President of The Trust Company of New Jersey, a major bank in New Jersey, until his death in 2003. Together they raised 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter; they have 4 grandchildren.
Naomi Wilzig, or Miss Naomi, as she is respectfully and warmly referred to by some of the world’s most famous antique dealers and collectors, is an accomplished woman. Part of her elan is that, while she has lead a conventional life, raised in an Orthodox Jewish home, she is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Naomi has been intensely committed to worldwide charity and politics, while becoming an internationally recognized antiques collector. The erotica genre captured her artistic eye and after years of collecting, she had the vision and foresight to create the 12,000 square foot venue that houses her collection.
Naomi’s hobby became an obsession; her vision to find a location that would house her collection of over 4,000 pieces took 5 years. She knew it should be in Florida and finally found the space on Miami Beach where she was welcomed by the community. At age 70, Naomi opened the museum; an event that has “changed her life.” She broadened and changed her knowledge of art and erotic artifacts; and she continues to search for unusual erotica to add to her interesting collection. Naomi has also added another dimension to her activities: charitable endeavors.
In celebration of her 80th birthday, Naomi will present to the Chabad of South of 5th on Miami Beach a new Torah. This is the second one; she also made a similar presentation for her 75th birthday celebration. Naomi is a strong supporter of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation as a Lion of Judah member; a Life Member of the Florida Holocaust Museum of St. Petersberg, FL, a Founder and Life Member of Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel; Founder of the Wilzig Hospital Center, New Jersey, Member of Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Museums, Latin Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Board of Directors of FIU’s College of Architecture and Arts.
Naomi is the 2011 recipient of the degree Honoris Causa Doctor of Arts in Erotology from The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (San Francisco); in 2009 she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Rabbinical College of America. These degrees allow Naomi to lecture at any college…her topic human sexuality and charitable giving.
(one not related necessarily to the other)
An author of 5 books, Naomi was interviewed by Glenna Milberg for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s “Conversation” series and the CIA: Citizens interested in the Arts. She was also recognized by FALA, First Amendment Lawyers Association as a “hero of the first amendment” .
What surprises the next decade of Naomi’s life will bring? Only Naomi knows…we look forward to hearing the exciting news!
