Visit Jewish Historical Museum (Joods Museum) is a museum focusing on Jewish religion, culture and history, with particular reference to the Netherlands and Amsterdam.
Today, I'm going to tell you more about this place and what you can see.
Jewish Historical Museum: article summary
The Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam: at a glance
The museum occupies 4 historic Ashkenazi synagogues near Waterlooplein, in the old Jewish quarter in the east of Amsterdam.
The museum's foundation was created in 1930 to preserve Jewish heritage and promote Jewish art. Initially exhibited in the Weighing House (Waag) on the Nieuwmarkt, much of the museum's collection was confiscated during the Second World War.
It reopened its doors in 1955 and has grown steadily ever since. to its current location in 1987.
The museum's permanent exhibition is located between 2 large buildings: the Grande Synagogue (1671) and the Nouvelle Synagogue (1752).
On the other side of the street is the Portuguese synagogue (1675), which is also part of the Jewish cultural quarter.
Discover the museum in detail
You'll first enter the Great Synagogue's atmospheric basement hall. This space is used to explore Jewish faith and traditions. Numerous Jewish ceremonial objects are placed in the context of the synagogue itself.
Upstairs is a section on the history of the Jews in the Netherlands between 1600 and 1900. This area explains how Jews arrived in the "tolerant" city of Amsterdam, what they did to make a living and the difficulties they faced.
Continuing on to the New Synagogue, with its remarkable central glass dome, is an exhibition on the history of Jews in the Netherlands from 1900 to the present day, including the volatile wartime period.
Numerous exhibits
Here you'll find paintings and sculptures, ordinary everyday objects, personal items and Jewish commercial posters. You can find information on each object in front of you using the impressive multimedia screen installed on site.
There are also several benches around the room, each with a screen showing various photos and films.
Jewish Historical Museum: a more complete collection hidden from tourists
Please note that the museum can only show around 5 % of its collection, the rest being archived or occasionally loaned to other museums. Temporary exhibitions are also organized with a particular focus on Jewish artists or Jewish-themed art.
There is a resource center with a large archive of books, videos and press. It is open to visitors with a valid admission ticket from Tuesday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment only.
The museum has a basement café selling "kosher-style" snacks, including bagels and cakes.
A separate children's museum (Jewish Museum Junior) is located in the Obbene Shul building (1685).
Information about the Jewish Historical Museum
To get there, you'll need to respect the establishment's opening hours. This will give you access to the Jewish Historical Museum:
- every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last admission is at 4:30 pm. The museum is closed on public holidays.
You will also have to pay an entrance fee of €18 for adults, €9 for 13 to 17 year-olds and €6 for 6 to 12 year-olds. As with most Amsterdam sites, admission is free for children under 5.
How do I get there?
The Jewish Museum is located right next to the Waterlooplein, just a few steps from the center of town. From Amsterdam Centraltake the streetcar 14 or metro lines 51, 53 or 54 to Waterlooplein.
The Jewish Historical Museum is a must-see during your stay in Amsterdam. Here you'll find a wealth of artifacts, as well as a large exhibition on Jewish culture in Amsterdam. To complete your visit, you can also visit the Anne Frank House in order to to better understand the situation of Jews during the Second World War.
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