Joods Museum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1932 as the Joods Historisch Museum and initially displayed its collection in the Waag on Nieuwmarkt. It was closed during the German occupation, and large parts of the holdings were lost. After the war, the collection was rebuilt, and in 1955 the museum reopened in the Waag.

In 1987 the museum moved into the complex of four Ashkenazi synagogues on Jonas Daniël Meijerplein, built between the late 17th and the mid-18th century: the Great Synagogue, the Obbene Sjoel, the Dritt Sjoel and the New Synagogue. The former prayer halls were joined into a single museum; banisters, tall windows and ceiling heights still reveal their former use today.

The permanent exhibition leads from the arrival of the first Jewish immigrants around 1600 through emancipation, poverty in Amsterdam's Jewish quarter and persecution in the Second World War to Jewish life today. In 2006 a dedicated children's museum was added, now called “Joods Museum junior”, designed as the home of a Jewish family.

Today the museum is part of the Joods Cultureel Kwartier (Jewish Cultural Quarter), which also includes the Portuguese Synagogue opposite, the Nationaal Holocaustmuseum and the Hollandsche Schouwburg. A duo ticket lets you visit the Joods Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue together; the collection is regarded as the largest holding of Jewish cultural heritage in the Netherlands.

Highlights

• The silver Rintel Hanukkah lamp from 1753 in its original location in the Great Synagogue
• Portrait of Baruch de Spinoza and gouaches by Charlotte Salomon
• Joods Museum junior: the Hollander family's hands-on house for children aged 6 and up
• Four interconnected historic synagogues as the museum building
• Included in the duo ticket: the 1675 Portuguese Synagogue with candlelight and underground treasure chambers

Permanent exhibitions

• What's being Jewish all about? – Permanent exhibition on Jewish religion, customs and history in the Netherlands – from the first immigrants around 1600 to the present day.
• Eden and the Golden Rule – Augmented reality tour in Joods Museum junior about the “Golden Rule”, on weekends from 12:00 to 16:00.
• Amsterdam's best kept secret – Permanent presentation in the Portuguese Synagogue with treasure chambers full of textiles, silver and books.

Founded

1932

Operated by

Joods Cultureel Kwartier

Director

Emile Schrijver

Admission & discounts

Duo ticket for the Joods Museum + junior and the Portuguese Synagogue, valid for one week from the chosen date (each venue once). Free with the Museumkaart; also free with the VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART, Stadspas, Vereniging Rembrandt, AICA card, I amsterdam City Card, Amsterdam Pass, ICOM and as a Friend of the Kwartier. Tickets at the ticket desk cost €2 more. Card/PIN payment only. Special exhibitions included in admission.

Accessibility

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

Elevators in all buildings, step-free entrances at least 80 cm wide; wheelchair entrance at Nieuwe Amstelstraat 3–5. Loan wheelchairs by reservation via email (dagcoordinatie@jck.nl). Tours for blind and visually impaired people and in Dutch Sign Language; in Joods Museum junior everything may be touched. Folding stools, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 6+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Joods Museum junior (Kidsproof museum 2024) is designed for children aged 6 and up: they bake challah in the kitchen, write their name in Hebrew and explore a music room. The museum recommends the main museum and the synagogue for ages 10 and up. Free family tour during school holidays; augmented reality experience “Eden and the Golden Rule” on weekends. Strollers allowed everywhere, all floors reachable by elevator.

Getting there & parking

From April to October, the Cultuur Ferry (hop-on hop-off boat) stops at the Joods Cultureel Kwartier Thursday through Sunday. The Nationaal Holocaustmuseum and the Hollandsche Schouwburg are within walking distance on Plantage Middenlaan.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Coat check
• Lockers

Kosher museum café with Jewish specialties (daily 10:00–17:00; outside food not allowed there). Coats and bags must be left in the cloakroom (hooks and lockers); bags up to A4 may be taken in.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 800 guests.

In the Joods Museum: auditorium (up to 60 people, theater seating) and museum café (up to 150 standing). In the Portuguese Synagogue: the synagogue hall for lectures and instrumental concerts (up to 800 seated), the Ma’amad regents' room (20 seated/40 standing) and the Safra courtyard (up to 200 standing). Kosher catering. Weddings in the synagogue through the Portuguese Jewish Community (info@esnoga.com).

Plan your visit