Jewish Museum image

Jewish Museum

Tourist attraction Museum Cultural center History museum Synagogue

Artworks, ceremonial items & artifacts relating to Jews in the Netherlands & its former colonies. People often mention museum, Jewish, history, Amsterdam, synagogue, visit, Portuguese, culture, good, beautiful,


Address

Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011 PL Amsterdam, Netherlands

Website

jck.nl

Contact

+31 20 531 0310

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (38) Jewish (27) history (20) Amsterdam (14) synagogue (12) visit (10) Portuguese (8) culture (8) good (8) beautiful (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Dakota H. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to learn about Jewish history and host events.
    17 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pranav R. 1 year ago on Google • 497 reviews
    This is dutch-jewish history-culture museum. It is a beautiful place with lot of exhibits so that is why the audio tour is must. The Portuguese synagogue is right across the road from here. Same ticket will work at both the place and it is free with museum kaart, morning time is the best.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 a e (Five s. 7 months ago on Google
    Was really nice historical exhibit but in the end when I saw this I got really shocked, they put out a grave marker on display !! To show that the poor ppl used wooden graves markers. A grave marker should stay in cemetery even if we don't know the exact original location, he deserves a memorial in the cemetery, this was done all over Europe with all gravestones the natzis have thrown down, they ware replaced somewhere in the cemetery, imagine you walk in and you see your grandfather's gravestone in a museum or yours in a few hundred years just because we don't know who are the grandchildren of this poor Jew we don't need to give him his deserved respect? I don't even understand how the government is allowing this shame hope they will release this memorial to it's original place soon
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 iyyar s. 1 year ago on Google • 129 reviews
    You pay 17€ for entrance and it includes the beautiful portugese synagogue. This museum has an incredible children section with a lot of crafts, music room, challah baking activity, VR and more. My son was so happy and asked to comeback everyday :) it is very interactive and informative for children and adults :))
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yoan Dyankov (. 1 year ago on Google
    It's a great museum based in the two huge synagogues. It represents in a short form a review of the Dutch Jewish culture and history, from the 15th to the 20th century. The Portuguese synagogue is the orthodox one. Both were fascinating.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Andrew “Andy” K. 1 month ago on Google • 125 reviews New
    I didn’t feel there was a clear theme and move in chronological order although that’s what they tried. The Jewish museums in the states are more robust maybe they should take help from there. I loved the gift shop, good collection. Maybe that’s the feeling I get because I was at the synagogue the same day

  • 4/5 Elijah H. 2 months ago on Google • 106 reviews New
    good history. most interesting is information on jews in amsterdam pre-1900s

  • 4/5 Song 10 months ago on Google • 77 reviews
    The temporary exhibit on the autobiographical writings of Dutch Jews bespeaking their negotiation with the Jewish identity is truly fascinating. The ticket is valid for a month. I also got two past exhibit catalogues that are beautiful and otherwise difficult to access. The staff is very friendly. Well worth a visit.

  • 2/5 Divya G. 1 year ago on Google
    I didn't find this museum well laid out. It was complex to understand and audio guide could be clear in order to explore the museum. I was disappointed. I know guides call this good alternative to Anne frank... I'm not certain given it's a complex museum to navigate and the way to go around isn't clear or explained in a consistent chronological manner
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 L G. 1 year ago on Google
    Tells the story of the Jews in Amsterdam in a wonderful way - the space is formed by two synagogues, and the exhibits are thoughtful and informative
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 mehmet s. 1 year ago on Google
    We came all the way from Chicago to Amsterdam and the Joods Museum was one of the most interesting places we visited in the city and is a must-see if you would be interested in understanding what the Jewish Dutch community went through during WW2.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 G B. 1 year ago on Google
    It has been a long time since we've visited, not only the Jewish Museum, but museums in general. This visit was very special due to the exhibition 'A Place of Our Own', sometimes I got emotional by reading and watching what young people have to do to get a place of their own. Definitely worth visiting!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 rick v. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a must stop for any human being that has heard of the holocaust. I had a beautiful weekend weather wise the last weekend I visited. The one day it rained I went to this museum. The artifacts they have are mind blowing. This is a must see!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Riti K. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing place to visit and stay.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daan van der Z. 3 years ago on Google
    Must see museum in Amsterdam. Beautiful interactive storytelling and ever-changing exhibitions. The library is an amazing resource for research into the Jewish heritage in the Netherlands. The Portugese Synagogue is stunning and a combined with the audio tour you get a glance at the history and modern times.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher Y. 10 months ago on Google
    A lot of information on Jewish history from before and after the holocaust. I would recommend visiting the synagogue across the streets. It is very historic and has some treasures inside.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lloyd W. 5 months ago on Google • 46 reviews
    Great museum inside an Ashkenazi synagogue. Awesome exhibits and really well presented.

  • 5/5 Ella R. 1 month ago on Google • 11 reviews New
    Amazing museum, many artifacts.

  • 4/5 Vernon R. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a museum that shows Jewish LIFE in Amsterdam, not merely the bad parts but the good parts too. Based around two old synagogues you can see the culture, history, art and culture of the community up to the war and also beyond it too. Worth the visit.

  • 5/5 Christopher C. 2 years ago on Google
    Fred Stein exhibition, photographs to remember

  • 5/5 Mary C. 1 year ago on Google
    Really interesting, with a contemporary exhibition spaces as well as historical. Includes a cafe and, toilets and free lockers for storage. Admission comes with entrance to the Portuguese Synagogue (highly recommended!) and Holocaust Museum.

  • 5/5 Benjamin T. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing children's museum, introducing people to family life and the festivals. A lovely lady spoke to us about Jewish life in Amsterdam. The main museum covered the history of the Jewish community from political enlightenment through to the Holocaust, ending with a synagogue full of artefacts. There is also a cafe. The ticket also gave access to the Portuguese Synagogue on the other side of the road, which is a magnificent building (in need of some TLC).

  • 5/5 Bonny von R. 1 year ago on Google
    The museum was very interesting and welcoming. Audio Guide is available in Dutch, English and German (maybe more but i needed German). Looked wheelchair accessible but I'm not the person to judge that I just saw a lot of lifts at the stairs and ramps everywhere. The toilets may not be accessible. I learned a lot about festivities, religious customs and day to day live from 1700 - today. I spent about 3,5 hours including a cappuccino at the Museums Café

  • 5/5 Andrei P. 11 months ago on Google
    The Jewish Museum showcases the rich heritage and contributions of the Jewish community in the Netherlands over the centuries. The museum is housed in a complex of four synagogues, built in the 17th century, which are interconnected and provide a symbolic representation of the closeness of the Jewish community. The architecture itself is a testament to the cultural and historical significance of the site, and stepping inside the synagogues feels like stepping into a world steeped in history. One of the most moving exhibits in the museum is the Holocaust Memorial, which pays tribute to the thousands of Dutch Jews who perished during the Holocaust.

  • 5/5 Ivo L. 10 months ago on Google
    Interesting museum to learn a thing or two about Jewish culture. It is set on a place of a old sinagoge so it has special energy. Staff was really nice. They also host a nice gift shop.

  • 5/5 MusicMan R. 8 months ago on Google
    This was very worth the money to visit this beautiful old temple. We also enjoyed learning all about Jewish life in Amsterdam.

  • 5/5 Florian S. 4 months ago on Google
    I found it very interesting to learn about the history of Jewry in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. The museum's part in what used to be the Great Synagogue in Amsterdam is well organised. I found the audio guides helpful. Temporary art exhibitions complement the permanent exhibition about Jewish religion and customs, and Jewish life in the Netherlands. The areas of the museum about Jewish history from medieval ages to present time are displayed in a modern way. I recommend the delicious sweets at the Café.

  • 5/5 Popescu M. 1 year ago on Google
    Several centuries sinagogue turned into museum. A lot of history, sad and happy times of the Jewish community.

  • 5/5 sara a. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice place to go with children, to learn more about the Jewish history and religion.

  • 5/5 Lina N. 2 years ago on Google
    A very nice place where they keep the Jewish history as part of Amsterdam.

  • 5/5 Reemanos S. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautifully set up museum with a lot of history on religion, art and culture

  • 5/5 Ruta J. 2 years ago on Google
    I had a good experience visiting the Jewish Historical museum. Recommend it to everyone who is interested in history and culture. Also, the museum workers were very nice and helpful. :)

  • 5/5 Suyog D. 2 years ago on Google
    To learn the history of world, world-war and Hitler, Nazi and Jews (Semitism) this is the must place.

  • 5/5 Ellie H. 2 years ago on Google
    I really enjoy the special exhibition of Fred Stein’s photography. The museum itself is also very interesting.

  • 3/5 Mar C. 2 years ago on Google
    The religious section was a bit bare (it would be nice to understand where these traditions come from with some archaeology). But really enjoyed the top floors and personnel was lovely.

  • 5/5 Jose Gregorio Lepervanche V. 3 years ago on Google
    After visiting the synagogue, we went to the museum to see the exhibits. Museum has beautiful decorated open spaces. We visited the archive and we were able to search the books about Jews in the Caribbean and continue our search for Semah de Valencia family.

  • 5/5 Will P. 4 years ago on Google
    Entrance to here is 17€, but includes entrance to Portuguese synagogue and Holocaust museum (or it's free with the Museumkaart). Museum has some great interactive exhibits and is very modern (probably the most modern of any museum I've been to in Amsterdam) it includes a free audio tour.

  • 3/5 Eduard H. 5 years ago on Google
    Having visited several museums in Amsterdam, this is not amongst the top 3. The best feature is that part of the exhibit is inside an actual synagogue. The history of the Jews in Amsterdam is explained in two blocks: from 1600 to 1900, and from 1900 onwards, with references to the Holocaust. The museum looks a bit old fashioned, would need some make over to make it more modern.

  • 5/5 Christine N. 1 year ago on Google
    Everyone should visit this museum. Tickets also give entry to the Portuguese synagogue nearby. A good cafe in the basement of the museum.

  • 5/5 Keri R. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely museum. Learned a lot about the Jewish culture from this area.

  • 5/5 Mercedes T. 1 year ago on Google
    Very well displayed. Very moving

  • 5/5 Olga L. 1 year ago on Google
    Very good to know about the Jewish culture, religion and all-the-time sad history. A lot of old videos and interviews on the interactive screens, worth watching. Characteristic objects on display. Ladies at the entrance give very nice directions and advice of the route. Museum is not very big, but a lot of photos and videos (of marriage, Tora scripts writing, or theater Tuschinski show) require 2 hours of exploring. And you will start from a synagogue :) The only drawback is that they close the children museum at 16:45, 15 minutes prior to the closing time.

  • 5/5 Alexis N. 1 year ago on Google
    Really good for a bit of jewish history in Amsterdam. The kids museum was awesome and has a great VR story!

  • 5/5 David S. 1 year ago on Google
    Very moving history of the Jewish population of Amsterdam from the 17th century to modern times.

  • 4/5 Anna P. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent museum! I learned so much and honestly could have spent another couple of hours there. My four star rating is based on my overall experience on that day and not on the one glaring shortcoming that I encountered. The participation of Dutch Jews in the slave trade and colonization was acknowledged (👍) and then quickly brushed past (👎). Having gone to the Rijksmuseum a couple days before, I feel that more could have been said based on some of the interpretation that I saw there. Because there is an audio guide available, it would be pretty feasible (and inexpensive) to create optional additional audio recordings that could explore more deeply the complicated implications of a marginalized and persecuted people playing a role in the subjugation of another people. This museum engages with many complex themes and this discussion would not be out of place.

  • 5/5 K R. 1 year ago on Google
    I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this museum. The photos exhibits were great, especially the one on Palestinian students in Tel Aviv. Make sure and visit the Portuguese Synagogue too, it is a very special spot.

  • 5/5 C M. 1 year ago on Google
    Fascinating visit, the museum is beautiful and it gives you many key elements to understand the Jewish identity in Netherlands through the years. And the ticket gives you access to the Portuguese Synagogue, which is as much enlightening.

  • 5/5 Mike H. 1 month ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    A lot of details. Definitely should come to visit again


Call +31 20 531 0310 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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