The Jewish Museum - in Stockholm's oldest synagogue

The Jewish Museum in Stockholm is located in Stockholm's oldest synagogue in the Old Town. We cycled here on a Saturday and managed to arrive just in time for today's guided tour. It was a really interesting and educational visit.

Jewish Museum in Stockholm

For some time now, the Jewish Museum has been located in Gamla Stan, in Stockholm's oldest synagogue. The museum used to have larger premises elsewhere in Stockholm, but even though they are now housed in a slightly more limited space, they feel that they have come "right". "It was on this very spot that much of the Jewish history in Sweden started, so it's interesting to come here.

Guided tour of the Jewish Museum

We hadn't checked when there would be a tour, but arrived at the museum on a whim. Fortunately, we managed to get there ten minutes before it was time for the day's tour. In retrospect, we can recommend everyone to aim for this one.

The museum is quite small, but the guided tour makes the visit really interesting. Our guide had only worked at the museum for a few weeks, but still had a lot of knowledge to share. Very interesting!

History of the Jews in Sweden

The Jewish Museum's new basic exhibition is called 'Jews & Sweden' and is about the history of the Jews in Sweden. We heard about the Jews who came to Sweden several hundred years ago, who were 'welcome' but were forced to convert to Christianity and change their name.

Moses became Gustaf

The wet coat on the coat rack is a work of art to illustrate how a man "took off" his old coat and put on a new one. The man who entered the church as Moses Jacob for his Christian baptism came out as Gustaf Michael.

The "first" Jew in Sweden

In 1774, the merchant Aaron Isaac arrived and became the first person allowed to practice Judaism in Sweden. Over time, Aaron Isaac's friends joined him and a first Jewish congregation was formed.

Prohibition to practise professions

For a long time, Jews lived under the so-called 'Jewish Regulations', which imposed a wide range of restrictions compared to other citizens in Sweden. For example, there were many professions they were not allowed to practice, such as many common crafts.

Trade and diamond cutting

Some of the occupations Jews were allowed to engage in were farm trade and non-guild crafts such as engraving, diamond cutting and some textile work (such as 'cat printing'). Despite being oppressed in many ways, Jews showed pride in being Swedish by engraving Swedish symbols.

Strengthened rights

In the 19th century, Jews gained stronger rights in Sweden. They were allowed to settle wherever they wanted, to own property and to vote. From 1863, Jews could marry non-Jews. 

The winds turned

In the 20th century, the favourable winds changed and the climate for Jews hardened again, as we all know. The museum has collected letters written by European Jews who tried to come to Sweden, or by Swedish Jews who tried to rescue their relatives to Sweden. Most of them never got the chance to come here.

Stockholm's oldest synagogue

Housed in Stockholm's oldest synagogue, the Jewish Museum has a fascinating history. Once upon a time, between 1795 and 1870, the building was used as a synagogue and community centre for Stockholm's Jewish residents.

Since then, the building has served as an auction house, a police station and a seamen's church. Much of the furnishings were thrown away, including the pulpit, which ended up in a museum collection. Unfortunately, its origin was lost and it was labelled "from an unknown church".

It took some time to realise that the pulpit did not come from a church but from a synagogue, but now it is almost back in its original location.

More to see in the Jewish Museum

The Jewish Museum in Stockholm also displays artefacts such as prayer books and Torah scrolls. However, the museum is quite small, so the best way to enjoy it is to join a guided tour.

Have you been to the Jewish Museum?

We found the guided tour really interesting. Have you been to the Jewish Museum in Stockholm? What did you think?

Facts about the Jewish Museum in Stockholm

• Address: Själagårdsgatan 19 in Gamla stan, Stockholm.
• More info: You can find more information at the museum's website.

Opening hours

The following opening hours are taken from the Jewish Museum's website in February 2020. Please note that the opening hours are subject to change, as are the dates of special opening hours. See the museum's website for current information.

• Regular opening hours: Tuesday - Wednesday 11:00-17:00, Thursday 11:00-20:00, Friday 11:00-16:00 and Saturday - Sunday 11:00-17:00 (2020).
• Different opening hours: The museum may have different opening hours or be closed on both Christian and Jewish holidays. In 2020, it will be closed on Pesach (2 April), Rosh Hashana (19 September) and Yom Kippur (28 September).

Prices

• Adults: 100 (2020)
• Students and pensioners: 80 crowns (2020)
• Children up to 19 years old: Free of charge
• School tours and groups: See the museum's website for more information
• Saturdays: On Saturdays, admission is free between 11:00 and 12:00 (as it is Shabbat).

Displays

Public tours are organised every day and are included in the ticket price. The following times are taken from the museum's website in February 2020. Please note that times are subject to change. See the museum's website for up-to-date information.

• Tours in Swedish: Tuesday - Sunday at 12:00 (Note! Deviations may occur). On some Thursdays there are guided tours at 18:30, according to the calendar on the website.
• Tours in English: 1 November - 9 April 2020 Friday - Sunday at 14:00. 15 April - 30 September 2020 Tuesday - Sunday at 14:00.
• School tours and booked tours: Contact the museum for more information

Services and practical information

• Rules: Large bags are not allowed in the museum.
• Shop: There is a small museum shop at the ticket office.
• Events: Lectures and other events are organised. See the museum's calendar.
• Association of friends: The museum has an association of friends.

Accessibility

• Entrance: The entrance from Själagårdsgatan 19 is adapted for wheelchairs and prams.
• Availability of premises: There are lifts to all floors.
• Toilet: An accessible toilet is located on level 1.
• Companions and guide dogs: Companions and guide dogs always have free entry.
• Hearing/vision impairment: There is no hearing loop and no access to audio description/braille.

Getting to the Jewish Museum

• Public transport: Take the metro to Gamla stan (red or green line). From here it is a short walk.
• Car: Parking is difficult in the Old Town, so you may need to park further away and then take the metro.
• Bicycle: Cycling is possible. Bicycle racks are located just outside the entrance.