Previous Exhibitions

March 15 2009 - December 31 2009 Strange objects stepping out of line The exhibition Strange Objects stepping out of line takes you on a journey to the world of Jewish curiosities. Objects from everyday-life, religious ceremonies and history have been chosen as they differ in their material, shape or intended use from the ordinary items of the collection.

Sunday September 7th, 2008 European Day of Jewish Culture Continue...
September 2, 2007 – December 31, 2008 Endingen – Lengnau. Following the traces of the rural Juewish communities in the canton Aargau The exhibition is dedicated to the history and day to day life of the Jews in Endingen and Lengnau. The two so called Jewish villages situated in the canton Aargau admitted Jews, when the Swiss Confederation had strict rules keeping them out of her boundaries. Colourful textiles and traditional artefacts belonging to the synagogues and objects for domestic use describe Jewish customs and life in the Swiss countryside. Some documents refer to typical jobs of Jewish men in the Surbtal: to cattle and fabric dealers, peddlars or small real estate agents. Women cared for their families and devoted free moments to textile embroideries for embellishing the synagogues. For many years the Jewish population was living in this region as “Schutzjuden” or tolerated foreigners. The authorities gave them permission of residence for limited years from 1696 onward with letters of protection specifying thus professional restrictions and extra taxes. After Napoleon’s army had taken the power in the old Confederation of Switzerland, the newly created human rights had to be respected. In the beginning numerous legislative decrees for the Jewish population in the canton Aargau brought slight amendments or even setbacks. Finally in 1866, after the article about equal rights was codified in the Swiss constitution, the authorities in Aarau decreed full rights and the right of free settling to the Jewish communities. Communal equivalence with the remnant communities in the canton Aargau was conferred to Endingen and Lengnau only in 1879.		Download Flyer View of the exhibition
September 3rd 2006 – August 31th 2007 Brought to Light Gifts, loans and acquitions from the last 10 Years. Exhibition supported by iguide/ear-guides Continue...
September 4th to March 30th 2006 The travelling chest History of a Jewish family from Frankfurt and Basel. Exhibition accompanied by a text booklet Continue...
June 17th.2004 to January 30th 2005 Anne Frank and Basel The history of a family beyond boundaries Exhibition accompanied by a text booklet Continue...
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