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The ANU - Museum of the Jewish People building from the east

ANU Museum, viewed from the west

The story of the Jewish people is a story of constant renewal. The Museum of the Jewish People is now fully renewed! The new core exhibition (as of March 2021) reflects the Jewish world of today. ANU – Museum of the Jewish People celebrates the multiculturalism of Jewish diversity and adopts an inclusive, pluralistic approach.

For over four decades, The Museum of the Jewish People has been playing an integral role in strengthening Jewish identity and perpetuating Jewish heritage worldwide.

ANU - Museum of the Jewish People is positioning itself as a relevant, cutting-edge museum and cultural center, whose relevance and reputation for excellence will be unrivaled. Each visitor will feel - The Story is not Complete without You!

The Renewal

ANU Museum, the main entrance

The Renewal

ANU - Museum of the Jewish People is more than a Museum. This unique global institution tells the ongoing and extraordinary story of the Jewish people.

ANU - Museum of the Jewish People connects Jewish people to their roots and strengthens their personal and collective Jewish identity. The Museum of the Jewish People conveys to the world the fascinating narrative of the Jewish people and the essence of the Jewish culture, faith, purpose and deed while presenting the contribution of world Jewry to humanity.

The Museum opened as Beit Hatfutsot in 1978 thanks to the vision of Nahum Goldmann. In 2005, the Israeli Knesset passed the Beit Hatfutsot Law that defines the museum as "the National Center for Jewish communities in Israel and around the world".

In 2016 the Museum's new wing was open, introducing the Synagogue Hall, and in March 2021, after Ten years of planning and construction, ANU - Museum of the Jewish people, the largest Jewish museum in the world, has opened its doors.

Our Mission:

ANU Museum from the back

Our Mission:

To present and display the unique and ongoing 4,000 year-old story of the Jewish people – past, present and future.
To nurture a sense of belonging among Jewish visitors and to strengthen Jewish identity.
To celebrate Jewish pluralism and diversity.
To serve as the central address for Jewish discourse, engagement and learning for Jewish individuals, families, communities and organizations from Israel and around the world.

The Founders:

Abba Kovner (1918-1987)

Created the museum concept of the first Core Exhibition (closed in October 2017) at Beit Hatfutsot (now ANU – Museum of the Jewish People). Abba Kovner contributed the central theme of Beit Hatfutsot, which is the idea that it should be based on key concepts that have characterized Jewish existence throughout the generations – concepts that the “gates” of the exhibition are based on. Kovner also wrote the texts of the exhibitions, and dedicated himself to Beit Hatfutsot until his last day. Artist, writer, award winning poet, partisan fighter, scholar and expert in history Jewish thought, both traditional and secular, Kovner was born in Sebastopol, Ukraine, and was active in HaShomer Hatza’ir. In World War II, he was one of the leaders of the Jewish fighters and commanded Jewish partisans. He moved to Palestine in 1945, and books of poetry placed him as one of the foremost writers of the Holocaust generation. He won the Israel Prize for literature in 1970.

Dr. Nahum Goldmann (1895-1982)

Nahum Goldmann, the primary thinker behind the idea of establishing Beit Hatfutsot as a living testament to the Jewish dispersion following the Holocaust, sought to increase knowledge and understanding of the young generation who were born in a free and autonomous country, about the lives and creations and Diaspora Jews. He was a statesman and Zionist leader, president of the Jewish Agency in the period following the establishment of the State of Israel, was among those initiating the establishment of the World Jewish Congress, and in 1936 was appointed chair of the Congress. He served as President of the World Jewish Congress from 1953-1957. He was active in the most important issues facing the Jewish people: such as Russian Jewry, Jewish education and Jewish culture. He believed that the future of world Jewry was mostly dependent on the successful struggle against assimilation.

Yeshayahu Weinberg (1918-2000)

First Director of Beit Hatfutsot (now ANU – Museum of the Jewish People) from 1976-1981. Yeshayahu (Shaike) Weinberg, the first Director of Beit Hatfutsot, was born in Poland and educated in Germany. In 1933 emigrated to Palestine where he was active in Hashomer HaTsa’ir and served in the Jewish Brigades. From 1961-1976, he was the director of the Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv. In 1970, he also began working in the planning committee of the Beit Hatfutsot museum, first as a volunteer. After his retirement from Beit Hatfutsot, he became a consultant in the creation of Jewish Museums in Los Angeles, New York, Germany, and Poland. New York. In 1988 and 1989, he led the establishment of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., which he directed until 1996. He received the Israel prize in 1999 for his unique contribution to Israel and society.

Dr. Meyer Weisgal (1894-1977)

First president of Beit Hatfutsot (now ANU – Museum of the Jewish People). In the early 1970’s, promoted the planning process that led to the museum’s opening. Meyer Weisgal, the first president of Beit Hatfutsot in the early 1970’s, promoted the planning process that led to the museum’s opening. He was a public figure, Zionist businessman, and fundraiser. He was born in Poland in 1894 and emigrated to the United States in 1905. He was active in the Zionist movement there and served as the secretary of the Zionist Organization of America. For many years, Weisgal was Chaim Weizmann’s right hand man. He moved to Israel in 1949 and dedicated all his efforts to promoting the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, first as the Chairman of its Executive Committee and as its President from 1966-1969. Weisgal was a scholar, entrepreneur and lover of theater. He edited newspapers and published an autobiography.

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The Renewal

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