Description

Essentials about the South African Jewish Museum in brief

Anyone interested in the history of Judaism and its diaspora should definitely pay a visit to the South African Jewish Museum in Cape Town. The museum is located right next to the South African National Gallery at Company’s Garden in the center of the city.

The exhibition at the South African Jewish Museum

With its modern architecture, the museum, which opened in 2000, provides a certain contrast to South Africa’s oldest and largest synagogue, which dates from 1863 and is also located on the museum grounds. The museum tells the story of Judaism in South Africa, beginning with the immigration of the first Jewish settlers from Eastern Europe, Germany and Great Britain in the 19th century until today. Worth seeing is the reconstruction of a typical Lithuanian shtehl (the Jewish quarter).

In presenting its contents, the museum relies heavily on modern forms of presentation and communication tools, such as interactive screens, films and installations. Interestingly, the museum also owns one of the finest collections of so-called netsuke – small carved figures from Japan.

Website

sajewishmuseum.org.za

Opening hours

Admission fees

Free.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Bus line 101: Stop Michaelis

Bus line 103: Stop Roodehek odorer Roeland

By car:

There are a number of parking lots in the immediate vicinity of the museum.