Jewish Historical Museum

The Jewish Historical Museum is the only museum in the Netherlands to focus on Jewish history, religion and culture. The museum is located in a group of four historical Ashkenazi synagogues at the heart of the former Jewish quarter in the centre of Amsterdam.

The permanent exhibition features the following themes: the role of religion and tradition,
the links with Israel, the persecution of Jews during the Second World War, personal life stories and the mutual influence of Jewish and Dutch culture.

Temporary exhibitions at the museum invariably connect in some way to Judaism. In
recent years exhibitions have featured work by artists such as Andy Warhol, Jozef Israëls
and Marc Chagall. Shows have also featured photography, for example by Sem Presser
and Erwin Blumenfeld, as well as surveys of cultural history. And naturally, the children's exhibition Where Mokum is Home is well worth a visit. Mokum is the Jewish name for Amsterdam. Children, and adults too, are introduced to different aspects of Jewish
tradition through interactive presentations, including matzo baking and learning to write Hebrew letters.

Hollandsche Schouwburg
The Jewish Historical Museum manages the Hollandsche Schouwburg. The former theatre
was used during the Second World War as a deportation centre for Jews. Today it is a monument to the memory of those who died, featuring an exhibition for school children. Admission is free.

Link
www.jhm.nl

 
 
 
 

©2009 Dori Kaden