At the Jewish Museum Frankfurt, more than 800 years of Jewish history and culture come to life. Founded as the first municipal Jewish Museum in Germany after the Second World War, the museum collects, preserves, and shares Frankfurt’s Jewish heritage from a European perspective. Across its two locations, the museum tells the story of one of Europe’s most influential Jewish communities, from the medieval Judengasse to the vibrant cultural life of the 19th century and the present day.

At the Jewish Museum Frankfurt in the restored and expanded Rothschild Palais, visitors explore Jewish history and culture from around 1800 to the present, following the lives of Frankfurt’s Jewish citizens through periods of emancipation, innovation, destruction, and renewal.

At the Museum Judengasse, archaeological remains and historic artefacts offer a rare window into Jewish life between the 15th and 18th centuries, revealing the everyday experiences of one of Europe’s most significant early modern Jewish communities.

The Jewish Museum Frankfurt’s permanent exhibition, We Are Now: Jewish Frankfurt from the Enlightenment to the Present, is housed in the beautifully restored Rothschild Palais. Opened in 2020 following an extensive renovation and expansion, the museum combines the historic former home of the Rothschild family with a striking contemporary extension, creating one of Europe’s most significant centers for Jewish heritage.

Spanning three floors, the exhibition traces Jewish life in Frankfurt from the Enlightenment around 1800 to the present day through a variety of perspectives. Through paintings, photographs, films, personal letters, historical documents, everyday objects, and interactive displays, it explores how Jewish communities shaped the city’s cultural, economic, and social life while also confronting periods of discrimination, persecution, and the Holocaust.

Rather than presenting history alone, We Are Now begins with contemporary Jewish life, inviting visitors to consider questions of identity, memory, family, tradition, and belonging. Personal stories connect the past with the present, highlighting the resilience and diversity of Frankfurt’s Jewish community.

The Jewish Museum Frankfurt’s public library is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and is free to visit without a museum ticket. Its collection includes specialist works as well as children’s and young adult literature on Jewish history, religion, and culture. Visitors are welcome to browse the collection or relax in the comfortable reading room.

Located within the Jewish Museum Frankfurt, Life Deli serves kosher vegan cuisine and homemade drinks in a bright, welcoming setting. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with extended hours until 10:00 pm on Thursdays, Friday and Saturday, the café offers both indoor seating and a sunny outdoor terrace. It is open to everyone and can be visited without purchasing a museum........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)