Musée Juif de Belgique

About the museum

The idea for a museum tracing the history of Belgium's Jewish communities was born in 1980, on the initiative of Baron Georges Schneck. The museum opened in 1990, first on rue de Stalingrad, and in 2002 moved to rue des Minimes, into a building from 1901 near the Sablon. In May 2014 a terrorist attack at the museum entrance left four victims; the institution reopened in 2017.

The building on rue des Minimes is no longer suited to a modern museum: the rooms are cramped, movement is difficult for people with reduced mobility, and conservation standards are not met. The project has been entrusted to Beliris, with the architects Barozzi Veiga (Barcelona) and Tab Architects (Ghent). Only the original neoclassical façade will be kept; the building will be entirely rebuilt, crowned by a “belvedere” offering a view over the city, and a 360 m² multipurpose hall will be created in the basement.

The museum temporarily closed on 14 December 2025; its reopening is announced for 2028. During the works it continues its work under the name Jewish Museum In/Out: contemporary art exhibitions with partners, events and performances travelling around the city, an educational programme in schools, and an online digital museum.

Highlights

• Online digital museum: ABC of Judaism, Hidden Stories, Jewish Women Voices
• Jewish Museum In/Out off-site programme during the closure
• Future building with belvedere, multipurpose hall and preserved neoclassical façade
• Educational activities for schools in French, Dutch and English

Founded

1990

Admission & discounts

Prices published before the closure, valid at reopening subject to change. Free entry for ICOM cards, journalists and professional cards. The museum accepts the Brussels Card and the PASS musées.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The current building is poorly suited to people with reduced mobility; the reconstruction project aims to improve movement through the building.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Before the closure, the museum ran guided tours with creative workshops for children (last Sunday of the month) and activities around the Jewish calendar.

Getting there & parking

This information applies to the rue des Minimes building, which is currently closed.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum offers its large hall for private events; the future 360 m² multipurpose hall is planned in the new building.

Plan your visit