TALLINN, Estonia – In Tallinn, a new museum devoted to the history of Estonian Jewry has just opened. While the first mention of Jewish residents in Estonia dates back to 1333, it was not until the beginning of the nineteenth century that a permanent Jewish community emerged in the country. The museum’s new exhibition center tells about the life of Estonian Jews from that time through to the present day, as well as the significant contribution they have made to life and society in the country.
The main exhibit includes photographs, historical documents and exhibit items received from private individuals, the state archives as well as other museums. The exhibits demonstrate the community life of Estonian Jews, the history of the community in the pre-World War Two period, during the German occupation, and during the Soviet era.
A separate exhibition covers the revitalization of Jewish communal life in the late 1980s in Estonia. Additionally, the display demonstrates the activities of youth and student organizations, as well as touching on the issues of anti-Semitism and the struggle for repatriation to Israel in 1967-1988. So too does it address the contribution made by Estonian Jews in the development of education, science, arts, sports and business in the country.
This is the first time ever that such a comprehensive museum dedicated to Jewry has opened in Estonia. It is located in the Tallinn Jewish Community Center at 16 Karu Street. The museum’s establishment was made possible by a contribution and the guidance of Mark Riybak, who is not only a huge fan of the history of Estonian Jewry, but has also become the museum’s first director.
The Jewish community of Tallinn is a proud member of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS and Baltic Countries.
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