Five years, 400,000 visitors: The Jewish Museum celebrates its success story

It is one of the most beautiful museum buildings in Germany and has developed into an intellectual center of Frankfurt in just five years. The Jewish Museum celebrates its anniversary not only as a retrospective, but as a powerful statement for the future. A look at an institution that masterfully combines architecture, art, and social dialogue.

Since its reopening on October 21, 2020, the Jewish Museum Frankfurt has undergone remarkable development. The start was anything but easy: Just eleven days after the opening of the extensively renovated and expanded building, the coronavirus pandemic forced its closure. The team responded agilely and established digital formats that remain an integral part of the offerings to this day. Since its continuous opening in May 2021, the museum has welcomed around 400,000 visitors to its various locations.

Architectural jewel and cultural attraction

The museum complex at Bertha-Pappenheim-Platz is more than just an exhibition space. In 2022, it was awarded the "Great Nike" Germany's most important architectural award, thus officially recognizing it as one of the country's most outstanding museum buildings. This architectural excellence is reflected in the cultural program. Within five years, ten temporary exhibitions were realized and significant acquisitions were made, including works by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim and the estate of the sculptor Benno Elkan.

The museum also attracted internationally renowned personalities. The guest list ranged from musicians like Alice Merton and Mike D. of the Beastie Boys to intellectuals like Wolf Biermann and Igor Levit to the Spanish King Felipe VI. This appeal underscores the institution's supra-regional significance as a place of encounter and exchange.

A place of dialogue in turbulent times

The museum sees itself as a forum for sociopolitical issues. Especially after October 7, 2023, the institution responded to the rising anti-Semitism with an educational initiative and numerous events. This approach has resonated: the number of members in the Friends' Association has increased by 27 percent in the last two years.

To mark the anniversary, a new nationwide image campaign is being launched featuring prominent figures such as actor Daniel Donskoy and the cast of the ARD series "Die Zweiflers." At the same time, the digital presence is being expanded with a new TikTok channel to reach a younger audience in particular and counter disinformation. Interactive areas in the permanent exhibition, such as "Against Anti-Semitism," have also been redesigned to encourage visitors to actively engage.

On October 26, the museum invites you to a full-day celebration from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The program includes discussions, guided tours, and concerts, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the institution and its protagonists in person.