The Costumes Collection

In 1994 Beit Hatfutsot started to use costumes, based on information reflected in the Core Exhibition, to bring to life various periods in Jewish history. The original program that made use of costumed guides was called “The Quest”, and twelve outfits were created by a company called Harlequin. The initial outlay was covered by a donation from Edward Isaacs of Sheffield, England.

Further costumes were added to the collection for the “Until Midnight” show, held in the Core Exhibition.

Other outfits were made for the exhibition “Blue and White in Colors”.
One very special costume was created to help reflect the history of North African Jewry after the 1492 Expulsion of the Jews from Spain. This is the “Grand Dress” or “Keswa el Kbira”. It was made by Ariella Grossman, who went to great lengths to make the costume as accurate as possible.

Beit Hatfutsot has eighteen costumes which are used in a variety of programs.

Woman in Italy, the middle ages. Museum of the Jewish People, the Costumes Collection

A merchant from Amsterdam, 17th century. Museum of the Jewish People, the Costumes Collection

A scholar in Babylonia, 4th century. Museum of the Jewish People, the Costumes Collection

“Al Kaswa al kabira”, the great dress, Morocco. Museum of the Jewish People, the Costumes Collection

Poland, the 18th century. Museum of the Jewish People, the Costumes Collection

Spain, “The Golden Age”. Museum of the Jewish People, the Costumes Collection

A man in Ashkenaz, 12th century. Museum of the Jewish People, the Costumes Collection

A woman in Byzantium, 3rd century. Museum of the Jewish People, the Costumes Collection