The Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam began its work in 1932 as the first museum of its kind to collect works of art and the religious heritage of Dutch Jews. During the Second World War, the museum's collection was almost completely looted by the German invaders. Over time, the collection was restored and supplemented with new exhibits. A separate part of the museum is dedicated to the Holocaust and the persecution of the Jewish population during the war years.
Now the Joods Historisch Museum is the largest and only museum in the Netherlands that tells about the history, culture and faith of the Jewish people. Over the years of the museum's existence, more than 30,000 exhibits have accumulated, which the permanent exhibition can no longer accommodate. Part of the collection is stored in the museum's resource center, which can be visited by appointment.