Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Muzeum Historii Żydów Polskich · Public domain · source
Name	Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Location	Warsaw, Poland
Type	History museum
Founder	Association of the Jewish Historical Institute
Director	Dariusz Stola

Museum of the History of Polish Jews, located in Warsaw, Poland, is a history museum that showcases the history of Poland and the history of the Jews in Poland. The museum was founded by the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute and is directed by Dariusz Stola, a renowned Polish historian and former director of the Polish Institute of National Remembrance. The museum's establishment was supported by the Polish government, the City of Warsaw, and the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute, with contributions from Jan Kulczyk, a Polish businessman and philanthropist. The museum's construction was also funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (Poland).

● History

The idea of creating a Jewish museum in Warsaw dates back to the Interwar period, when the Jewish Historical Institute was established by Emanuel Ringelblum, a Polish-Jewish historian. However, the project was put on hold due to the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. After World War II, the project was revived, and in 2005, the Polish government and the City of Warsaw signed an agreement to establish the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. The museum was designed by Rainer Mahlamäki, a Finnish architect, and Ilan Pappé, an Israeli historian, served as an advisor to the project. The museum's construction was also supported by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the World Jewish Congress.

● Architecture

The museum's building was designed by Rainer Mahlamäki and his team at Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects. The building's design is inspired by the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania, and features a unique, deconstructivist style. The museum's exterior is covered in glass and steel, and its interior features a large, atrium-style space. The building was constructed by Polimex-Mostostal, a Polish construction company, and was completed in 2013. The museum's design has been praised by Frank Gehry, a Canadian-American architect, and has been compared to the Jewish Museum Berlin, designed by Daniel Libeskind.

● Exhibitions

The museum's permanent exhibition, designed by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects and Rabbi Haim Beliak, tells the story of the history of Polish Jews from the Middle Ages to the present day. The exhibition features a range of artifacts, including artworks by Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, and Roman Vishniac, as well as historical documents and personal testimonies. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, such as the 2013 exhibition on the history of Jewish theater in Poland, which featured costumes and set designs from the Yiddish Theatre in Warsaw. The museum has also collaborated with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Yad Vashem on exhibitions and research projects.

● Collections

The museum's collections include a range of artifacts, including artworks, historical documents, and personal objects. The museum's collection of Jewish art includes works by Maurycy Gottlieb, Artur Markowicz, and Samuel Hirszenberg. The museum also has a large collection of historical documents, including letters and diaries written by Polish Jews during World War II. The museum's collection of personal objects includes photographs, jewelry, and clothing worn by Polish Jews during the Holocaust. The museum has also acquired collections from the Jewish Historical Institute and the Central Jewish Library.

● Education and Research

The museum offers a range of educational programs, including guided tours, workshops, and lectures. The museum also has a research center, which is dedicated to the study of the history of Polish Jews. The research center is directed by Paweł Śpiewak, a Polish historian and sociologist, and has published a range of books and articles on the history of Polish Jews. The museum has also collaborated with the University of Warsaw and the Jagiellonian University on research projects and academic programs. The museum's educational programs have been supported by the Polish Ministry of Education and the European Commission.

● Impact and Reception

The museum has had a significant impact on the cultural landscape of Poland and has been praised by visitors and critics alike. The museum has been visited by Pope Francis, Angela Merkel, and Vladimir Putin, among other world leaders. The museum has also been recognized with a range of awards, including the 2016 European Museum of the Year Award and the 2014 Polish Museum of the Year Award. The museum has been praised by Norman Davies, a British historian, and Timothy Snyder, an American historian, for its innovative approach to museum design and historical narrative. The museum has also been recognized by the International Council of Museums and the European Museum Forum. Category:Museums in Warsaw