Judiska museet

About the museum

The Judiska museet (Jewish Museum) was founded in 1987 by Viola and Aron Neuman as a private foundation. There was early interest in a Jewish museum, but it was difficult to find premises. The museum first showed exhibitions in a former carpet warehouse in Frihamnen, moved in 1992 to Hälsingegatan in Vasastan, and in 2019 opened in its present premises at Själagårdsgatan 19 in Gamla stan. In 1994 the museum received the Svenska museiföreningens prize Årets museum (Museum of the Year).

The house at Själagårdsgatan 19 was formerly an auction hall. In 1795 the Jewish congregation moved in, and for almost a century the house was the centre of Jewish life in Sweden, with a synagogue, a religious school and homes for the rabbi, the cantor and the kosher butcher. In the cellar there was a ritual bath, a mikveh. The old synagogue is Sweden's oldest surviving one, and may be one of the few synagogues of German style still standing in Europe. The Judereglementet (Jewish Regulation), in force 1782–1838, governed how Jews were allowed to live in Sweden.

The permanent exhibition Judarna & Sverige tells the story of Swedish-Jewish history from the early immigration to the post-war period. The collection comprises about 1,500 objects and 3,000 photographs. The museum also shows smaller exhibitions and arranges tours, city walks and school programmes.

Highlights

• Sweden's oldest surviving synagogue in Gamla stan
• The permanent exhibition Judarna & Sverige
• A collection of about 1,500 objects and 3,000 photographs
• Tours and city walks on Swedish-Jewish history
• A museum shop with Swedish-Jewish cultural heritage

Permanent exhibition

• Judarna & Sverige – The permanent exhibition is a journey through Jewish cultural heritage and Swedish history, from the early immigration and the Judereglementet to the post-war period, with objects from the museum's collection and contemporary art.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Stiftelsen Judiska museet

Director

Erika Hedenström

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Saturdays 11:00–12:00 admission is free, since money is not handled during the Sabbath.

Accessibility

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

The entrance from Själagårdsgatan 19 is adapted for wheelchairs and prams, and a lift runs between the entrance level and the exhibition hall. Smaller exhibitions on the synagogue's old women's gallery can only be reached by stairs. An accessible toilet is on floor 1. There is no induction loop, and no audio description or Braille in the exhibitions, but adapted tours are offered on request.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Parking options near the museum are very limited. For special transport the address is Själagårdsgatan 19.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum shop with books, kippot, jewellery, mugs and cloth bags. Large bags may not be taken into the museum; a cloakroom is near the reception.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit