Jüdisches Museum Hohenems

About the museum

A Jewish museum had been discussed in Hohenems since the 1970s. When the town acquired the Villa Heimann-Rosenthal in 1983, a manufacturer’s villa built in 1864 in the former Jewish quarter, a suitable location presented itself. In 1986 committed citizens founded a museum association; after the house was restored, the museum opened in April 1991. The first exhibition was designed as a “walk-in book” and focused on the relationship between the Jewish minority and the majority society in Vorarlberg.

After the café and foyer were rebuilt in 2005, a completely new permanent exhibition opened in April 2007. Closely linked to biographies, it tells the story of the Jewish community of Hohenems, which existed for around 300 years: from settlement, trade and the Enlightenment through figures such as the cantor Salomon Sulzer to persecution, flight to Switzerland and deportation after 1938. The post-war period, the handling of memory and the lives of descendants around the world are also addressed.

Through close contacts with descendants of Hohenems families, a large collection of documents, photographs and everyday objects has grown since the founding. The museum is run by a non-profit association in which the town of Hohenems, the state of Vorarlberg and the friends’ association are represented. In addition to annual special exhibitions, the house offers walking tours of the Jewish quarter and the Jewish cemetery.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on more than three centuries of Jewish history in Hohenems
• Children’s exhibition with light boxes based on stories by Monika Helfer
• Villa Heimann-Rosenthal of 1864 in the former Jewish quarter
• Commemoration of cantor Salomon Sulzer
• Walking tours of the Jewish quarter and the Jewish cemetery

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Geschichte der Juden von Hohenems. Vom Mittelalter bis heute – A tour through around three centuries of the Jewish community – from settlement and Enlightenment through migration and Nazi persecution to the diaspora of the descendants, with audio guides and video stations.
• Kinderausstellung – Light boxes built into the display cases tell the history of the community in a child-friendly way using silhouette pictures and short stories.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Verein Jüdisches Museum Hohenems (Stadt Hohenems, Land Vorarlberg, Förderverein)

Director

Irene Aue-Ben-David

Admission & discounts

Admission covers the permanent, special and children’s exhibitions, a visit to the Jewish cemetery and the Jewish quarter, and includes the audio guide. Free admission with the V-Card, Kulturpass “Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur”, ICOM card, International Teacher Identity Card, IAA card, and for TIM-TAM guides and members of the Austrian Association of Cultural Mediators.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The listed building has no lift: there are 11 steps to the main entrance, and 5 steps from the rear entrance to the ground floor with reception and café; the special and permanent exhibitions are reachable only by stairs. Seating on all floors. Please arrange visits with a wheelchair in advance. Tours in plain language on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Children’s exhibition for ages 6 to 12: 20 light boxes in the display cases of the permanent exhibition, which children switch on themselves; the stories can also be listened to. Free explorer’s backpack for the Jewish quarter and a family box for making silhouette crafts in the café. Changing tables in both toilets.

Getting there & parking

By car via the Rheintal motorway, exit Hohenems, towards the centre. Bicycle racks directly in front of the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Museum café with newspapers and magazines, bagels and wedding cake made from a recipe in a love letter of 1675. Cloakroom with lockable lockers; free Wi-Fi. Four loan bicycles for guests, for example for riding to the Jewish cemetery.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit