The Jewish Historical Museum is housed in four synagogues, that against each other ‘ displayed ‘ in the Centre of Amsterdam. They form a striking proof of the influx of Jewish immigrants to the city in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The four places of worship houses offer a glimpse into the Jewish religion, history and culture in Netherlands.

What happens during a bar mitzvah? Why breaks at a wedding the groom a glass and call the bystanders “mazal tov”? What does a circumcision in and why Jews eat honey during the Jewish new year? Questions on which you receive an answer in the oldest building of the Joods Historisch Museum, the atmospheric great synagogue. Here is an exhibition detailing the Jewish religious life. Important themes are ‘ the beauty of Holiness “, as imagined in decorated utensils as a torakroon, toraschild and torarol (the Torah is the Holy Book).

Sabbath celebration

Also everyday life is honored in beauty. During the celebration of the Sabbath at home used a family under more beautiful prayer cloths, candlesticks and kidoesjglazen. The contents of the many Jewish festivals and rituals is contemporary imagined in movies and other footage.

On the flight

On the first floor you can find an exhibition about the history of the Jews in our country to 1890. They fled in the seventeenth century from southern Europe for the Inquisition, from Eastern Europe for pogroms, and found in the Netherlands of the golden age the freedom to profess their faith.

Holocaust

On that first centuries is less well known than about the continuation of the history (exhibited in another synagogue): that of the twentieth century and especially the second world war. In this context also take a look at the Dutch Schouwburg (Plantage Middenlaan 24; daily 11-16 hours), where in 1942 and 1943, tens of thousands of Jews were deported. A place to be very quiet.

Practical information

*

* New Amstelstraat 1

* 1011 PL Amsterdam

* 020 – 531 03 10

* www.jhm.nl

* daily 11-17 hours

* (closed on Jewish new year and day of Atonement)

* admission: € 3-€ 7.50 (museumjaarkaart valid)

Tidbits

* Other themes in the museum are: Jewish art and culture (including the painter Charlotte Salomon). There is also a section for children.

* Jewish holidays find each year on other data. Check the website for the data.

* Restaurant: King Solomon at the waterlooplein (Israeli, kosher kitchen).

More mystical museums

Do you want to read more about mystical museums and/or museums about religious heritage? Visit the special ‘ Mystical ‘ museums.