Aden Jewish Museum
Aden Jewish Museum
4.5
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Neighborhood: Newe Ẕedeq
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
7 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
3
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0
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benc9999
1 contribution
Aug 2019
We visit the Neve Tzedek area a lot, but until recently had never entered nor indeed paid particular attention to this fascinating museum detailing a little-known but unique community: the Jews of Aden, a former British Protectorate port now located in Yemen, separated only by a narrow gulf from the Horn of Africa.
The Jews of Aden have numerous similarities to Yemenite Jews as a whole (a community about which it's possible to learn a lot in Neve Tzedek and also in the nearby district of Kerem HaTeimanim) but are distinctly influenced by the importance the British attached to the Protectorate as a bustling entrepot, and as such mingled with British, Indian, and Iraqi Jews, among others. For instance, as we learned, while it is more common in Israel to eat the starchy dough jachnun as a savoury dish, alongside a rich tomato sauce and spicy condiments, in Aden 'gachnun' (according to the local dialect) was typically eaten with jam, as a sweet dish which might even accompany afternoon tea.
The museum houses a broad range of artefacts, photographs and documents relating to Aden Jews, from the community's origins to its later settlement in Israel and in the UK. There is also a range of books to browse through or buy which help the visitor enrich their knowledge. Our visit was really made special by staff member Sarah, who took time to explain to us numerous nuances and additional facts that placed the community in its historical context. It's also possible to book tours in advance if you're coming with a large group. You can pop in for ten minutes just to get a feel while you're on your way to one of the neighborhood's other sides, or stay for up to an hour to fully immerse yourself in the exhibits and books and even climb the stairs to the grand synagogue hall.
The Jews of Aden have numerous similarities to Yemenite Jews as a whole (a community about which it's possible to learn a lot in Neve Tzedek and also in the nearby district of Kerem HaTeimanim) but are distinctly influenced by the importance the British attached to the Protectorate as a bustling entrepot, and as such mingled with British, Indian, and Iraqi Jews, among others. For instance, as we learned, while it is more common in Israel to eat the starchy dough jachnun as a savoury dish, alongside a rich tomato sauce and spicy condiments, in Aden 'gachnun' (according to the local dialect) was typically eaten with jam, as a sweet dish which might even accompany afternoon tea.
The museum houses a broad range of artefacts, photographs and documents relating to Aden Jews, from the community's origins to its later settlement in Israel and in the UK. There is also a range of books to browse through or buy which help the visitor enrich their knowledge. Our visit was really made special by staff member Sarah, who took time to explain to us numerous nuances and additional facts that placed the community in its historical context. It's also possible to book tours in advance if you're coming with a large group. You can pop in for ten minutes just to get a feel while you're on your way to one of the neighborhood's other sides, or stay for up to an hour to fully immerse yourself in the exhibits and books and even climb the stairs to the grand synagogue hall.
Written September 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edmund L
Paradise Valley, AZ83 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
We happened on this museum walking around South Tel Aviv. The museum worker invited us in and gave us a 15 minute history of the Jewish people in Aden Yemen. The museum has very interesting displays of things from the time Jews lived there. There is no entrance fee.
Written November 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul N
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia106 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
I accidentally stumbled on the museum and synagogue of Aden Jews. I was reading the advertisement on the front of the door thinking that these are Yeminite Jews when the door opened and a 30-something lady is just about to scurry off and locks the door and then sees me and invites me in even though I have just missed the official closing times for the museum. It is a small and picture based museum but the lady, whose name I have forgotten, breathes life into the storey and explains that the Aden Jewishcommunity, which goes back many centuries, had been an independent British colony and that Jews had thrived there as a trading post and were more Ashkenazi than Yemenite although there had been some exchange with their neighbour. The community existed there till anti-Jewish riots after Israel was formed and the community left for Israel and the UK. Pictures of a thriving school and community, marriage ceremonies in western, not Yemenite, dress. She offered me to see the synagogue and foolishly I declined not wanting to delay her leaving any longer. I should have had a look. And regretfully I only realised after leaving the place that I should have made a donation. If I ever get lost in Neve Tzedek again I’ll go and have a look at the synagogue and give double the donation. A gem hidden in the back streets.
Written July 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth L
33 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
A small but very interesting museum of the history of Aden Jews who's history goes back to the 12th century. The only problem is the descriptions are only written in Hebrew, but we were lucky enough to have a free tour and explanation by Yaniv the director of the museum in English. Entrance is free. Donations welcome.
Written July 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrsirin
London, UK915 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
Located in the Kol Yehuda Synagogue, this museum is lovingly run by the son of a community immigrant, and contains a lot of very interesting objects and exhibits that bring to life the ancient Jewish community in Aden.
Written October 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our Man in Havana
Warwick, UK50 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We stumbled across this small museum by chance whilst we were exploring Neve Tzedek. Sarah, one of the curators, kindly spent an hour personally showing us around the exhibits as well as the functioning synagogue upstairs. A real piece of history that covers happy but also turbulent times in this former British colony.
Written May 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
i want To know more about Jewish i am new in to Jewish and i will like to know more about Jewish. Mr paul i will like to contact you in private.
Written September 23, 2017
There is no listing of hours or admission price. I will be in tel
Aviv on Monday and would like to know if you'll be open. Do you have a phone #?
Written August 6, 2016
Closes at 2 pm, but there is an interesting synagogue attached that might be open.
Written August 8, 2016
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