Founding the Museum

The History of the Origins of the Jewish Museum Berlin

Jan 1933.On 24 January 1933, a few days before Hitler rose to power, the first Jewish Museum was opened in the Oranienburger Straße. . 1933
Feb 1976.In February 1976, the "Society for a Jewish Museum in Berlin" was founded. . 1976
Aug 1981.The Berlin Museum acquired for the future Jewish Museum the Judaica collection of Zvi Sofer, the cantor from Munster who died in 1980. . 1981
Nov 1986.On 26 November 1986, the "Jewish Department" of the Berlin Museum opened three exhibition rooms in the Martin-Gropius-Bau. . 1986
Jun 1989.Daniel Libeskind wins the "Competition for the Extension of the Berlin Museum with Jewish Museum Department." . 1989
Nov 1989.The Jewish Department in the Berlin Museum received 10 paintings on permanent loan from the Israel Museum in 1990. . 1990
Nov 1992.The exhibition "The other half" presents objects on the Jewish history of Berlin in the Martin-Gropius-Bau in November 1992. . 1992
Apr 1995.The exhibition "Survival in Sarajevo" with photos by Edward Serotta was opened to mark the topping out ceremony of the carcass of the museum building designed by Daniel Libeskind. . 1995
May 1995.The brochure entitled "A museum for Berlin" was published in May 1995 marking the topping out of the new museum building. . 1995
Jul 1997.On 4 July 1997, the exhibition "Life in a waiting room. Exile in Shanghai 1938-1947" was opened in the Jewish Museum rooms of the Martin-Gropius-Bau. . 1997
Dec 1997.Former US Treasury Secretary W. Michael Blumenthal was appointed director of the Jewish Museum in December 1997. . 1997
Jan 1999.The museum building was handed over to the cultural administration as part of a gala opening ceremony at the end of January 1999. . 1999
Sep 2001.On 9 September 2001, the Jewish Museum Berlin opened its permanent exhibition. . 2001
Feb 2004.Museum director W. Michael Blumenthal opened the exhibition "10 + 5 = God. The Power of Signs." . 2004
Feb 2006.Visitors can learn about German-Jewish history and culture at the multimedia Rafael Roth Learning Center at the museum. . 2006
Mar 2007.The museum in cooperation with Human Rights Watch organized a campaign week: "Dafur: Crimes Against Humanity." . 2007
Jun 2007.The education project "on.tour - The JMB Tours Schools" was launched in June 2007. . 2007
Sep 2007.The covering of the old building’s courtyard became the museum’s new Glass Courtyard designed by Daniel Libeskind. . 2007
Apr 2009.In the former central flower market hall on the opposite side of the street, the extension to the Jewish Museum is emerging. . 2009

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The Jewish Museum Berlin was opened in 2001. The path from the idea to found a Jewish museum in West Berlin to creating an exhibition concept was a long and winding one with many controversies along the way. The controversies also reflect the change in the perception of Jewish history against the backdrop of the Holocaust. The concept, founding, and opening of the Jewish Museum Berlin were largely due to the political initiative and commitment of individuals. Many sponsors and donors contributed to establishing the collection.

A description of the Jewish Museum Berlin’s history and development can be downloaded as a pdf-file.

Founding the Museum

The History of the Origins of the Jewish Museum Berlin

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