Museum of Jewish Culture SNM, Bratislava

The Museum of Jewish Culture SNM originated as the Department of Jewish Culture at the Museum of History SNM, becoming an independent specialised museum institution in 1994. A national museum, its activities are focused on developing the spiritual and material Jewish culture and documenting the Holocaust in Slovakia. Situated at Zsigray Mansion on Židovska ulica 17, the Museum of Jewish Culture houses more than 2,300 valuable objects, including curtains, blankets, metal candlesticks, lamps for eternal light, crowns, shields and spotters to the Tora, spice boxes and other religious paraphernalia. Particular value is placed on two 18th-century faience jars of the burial-society of Chever Kadiš in Senica. The historical book collection includes works by world-famous rabbi Chatam Sofer, known thanks to the renowned rabbi school which operated here until 1939.

The scientific research activities of the museum are focused on issues such as the creation and formation of cultural attitudes and values among the younger generation, anti-Semitism in the political development of Slovakia and synagogue architecture. Outputs are mostly professional and scientific studies are published in the museum’s own editorial titles.

The Museum of Jewish Culture SNM also administers branch synagogue exhibitions in Prešov, Žilina and Trnava.