Jewish Museum Vienna: Celebrating 130 years in the heart of history!

Jewish Museum Vienna: Celebrating 130 years in the heart of history!

A very special day for Viennese culture: The Jewish Museum Vienna is celebrating its 130th anniversary! On September 16, 2025, a festive gala took place at the Odeon Theater in Leopoldstadt, organized by director Barbara Staudinger. Among the guests were prominent ambassadors, including representatives of the Netherlands and Israel, as well as numerous political decision-makers and cultural figures. Staudinger recalled the eventful history of the museum, which opened its doors in November 1895 as the first Jewish museum in the world and has since played an important role in the fight against anti-Semitism and in integrating Jewish history into Viennese identity.  MyDistrict reports that the gala atmosphere that evening underlined the importance of the museum as a cultural place.

The anniversary celebrations will extend throughout 2025. In order to raise viewers' awareness of Jewish culture, many special events and exhibitions will be offered, it says Vienna Holding. A special honor takes place on the first Wednesday of every month when seniors have free entry. There will also be a big open day on November 21st, with a varied guided tour program. There will also be a new podcast in which Staudinger tells stories about the museum, as well as a monthly column that highlights social and museum topics.

Exhibitions and programs

The exhibition “G*d. The Great Questions Between Heaven and Earth” will run in the Jewish Museum until October 5, 2025, and deals with spiritual and philosophical questions from a Jewish perspective. The exhibition “Tell me where the flowers are…” will be on display from May 8th, reflecting on commemorative cultures after the Second World War with photographs by Roger Cremers. Another highlight is the exhibition “Black Jews, White Jews?”, which will be on view from October 21, 2025 and looks at Jewish identity in the context of skin color and racism.

To strengthen commitment to Jewish culture, special programs for schools and tourists in several languages ​​are also planned. This includes workshops, participatory projects and guided tours. The younger generation is also particularly addressed by the Project Space, where interviews are conducted with Jewish contemporary witnesses and current social issues are discussed. The “Boker Tov Morgen” event also invites you to an exclusive guided tour with an oriental breakfast.

Over the decades, the Jewish Museum Vienna has developed into an important place for dealing with Jewish history and culture. The 130th anniversary gala is a testament to the commitment to keeping the stories and culture of the Jewish community in Vienna alive. Further information about the various event formats and exhibitions is available on the museum's website at jmw.at.