Italian Jewish Museum

About

The Museum was set up to collect, preserve and display objects pertaining to Jewish life in Italy from the Renaissance period through to the present time.

Through its unique images and artifacts, the Museum’s collection recreates the richness of Jewish life in Italy throughout the ages. A history of cultural multiplicity bonded Italian Jewry to Italy, a country beset by centuries of fractioned states. This trait of the Italian political situation is reflected in the Italian Jewish patrimony. The cultural legacy of Italian Jewry, its vitality, creativity and respect for diverse cultural forms is reflected in its objects of art.

Highlights:

- Ancient synagogue, which is now used by Italian Jews in Jerusalem: it was originally the synagogue of Conegliano Veneto, a village located between Padua and Venice.

- Stylistically, Jewish metalwork, whether made by Jewish or Christian silversmiths, reflects the Italian artistic trends of the Baroque and Rococo, its illusionistic tendency exalted by the proliferation of volutes, swollen acanthus leaves, rocailles and elaborate ornamentations.

- The skilful handiwork of female Jewish embroiderers can be seen by the dedicatory inscriptions which they sewed along the edges of beautiful embroidered pieces hung at the focal points of synagogues, such as Torah curtains and reader’s desk covers.

- The Museum collection includes some hundreds of documents and texts handwritten on parchment and paper, and many are gracefully illuminated and decorated. Among them are beautiful Haggadot, fine Scrolls of Esther and ketubbot (marriage contracts).

What is included?

Skip the line entrance

What is not included?

Audioguides

Guided tours

What is important to know?

The museum is not wheelchair accessible.

Opening hours:

Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays – from 10:30 to 16:30

Thursdays - from 12:00 to 19:00

Fridays – from 10:00 to 13:00

Address:

25 Hillel Street Jerusalem, Israel