Jewish Museum of Switzerland Reopens in Basel – A New Chapter for Swiss-Jewish History
Basel, Switzerland – November 26, 2024 – In a landmark moment for Swiss cultural heritage, the Jewish Museum of Switzerland is throwing open the doors to its dramatically expanded home in a beautifully converted tobacco warehouse at Spalentor in Basel. This isn’t just a relocation; it’s a rebirth, doubling the museum’s exhibition space and promising a richer, more immersive experience for visitors eager to explore the fascinating story of Jewish life in Switzerland. This is breaking news for anyone interested in European history, cultural preservation, and the enduring legacy of Jewish communities.
A Historic Location, A Renewed Mission
The choice of location is deeply symbolic. Situated near the Spalentor, the very gate through which Jews from Alsace entered Basel during the Middle Ages, and close to the site of the first Jewish community’s cemetery on St. Peter’s Square, the museum’s new home anchors its narrative in the heart of Basel’s Jewish past. For decades, the museum, founded in 1966 as a pioneering institution in German-speaking countries post-war, has been dedicated to telling Swiss history through a Jewish lens – a perspective uniquely its own.
From Prayer Rooms to Hebrew Heidi: A Collection Comes to Life
The expanded space allows the museum to showcase a significantly larger portion of its collection, bringing previously unseen artifacts into the public eye. Visitors can now wander through a meticulously reconstructed prayer room from Solothurn, adorned with the captivating parchment installation “Open the Gates of Heaven” by Israeli-Berlin artist Ariel Reichmann. But the treasures aren’t limited to religious artifacts. A surprising highlight is a Hebrew edition of “Heidi” from around 1950, a poignant reminder of the book’s popularity among orphaned children in post-war Israel, offering them a message of hope and renewal within the familiar Swiss landscape.
“The book was particularly popular in Israel after the war because there were a lot of orphans there,” explains Director Naomi Lubrich. “As we all know, Heidi is an orphan who finds new joy in life in the Swiss Alps. The book was intended to give children new courage to face life.”
Celebrating Diversity and Preserving Heritage
The museum’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its expanded exhibits dedicated to Sephardic, or North African, Jewish families who have contributed to the cultural tapestry of western Switzerland. The collection spans centuries, from medieval tombstones to relics of the Basel Zionist Congresses and contemporary Judaica, offering a comprehensive overview of Jewish life and its evolution. This dedication to preserving and communicating Jewish culture and history makes the museum a truly unique institution within Switzerland.
A Collaborative Effort and a Bright Future
The ambitious renovation, spearheaded by Diener & Diener Architects, represents a significant investment of 8.5 million francs. A substantial portion of the funding came from private donors, demonstrating a strong community commitment to the museum’s mission. Nadia Guth Biasini, President of the Association for a Jewish Museum, notes the museum’s existing popularity: “The museum is well visited by individual visitors, tourists, groups and school classes and is very well embedded in the Basel museum landscape.”
The reopening is scheduled for Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Vesalgasse 5, with events beginning at 11 a.m. This expansion isn’t just about showcasing the past; it’s about ensuring that the story of Jewish life in Switzerland continues to resonate with future generations, fostering understanding and appreciation for a vital part of the nation’s cultural identity. The Jewish Museum of Switzerland is poised to become an even more important beacon of cultural understanding and a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a deeper connection to Swiss history and the global Jewish diaspora.
