Beth Hatefutsoth (Diaspora Museum), Tel Aviv-Yafo

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The Jewish people was scattered all over the world since its exile from Israel by the Romans 2000 years ago. As a result, many different communities developed in different countries and continents of the Diaspora, all sharing their religion, ethnic background and cultural heritage, but also absorbing a lot from their new physical and cultural environment.

The Museum of the Jewish People (formerly called Museum of the Diaspora) displays the mosaic of Jewish life in all corners of the world. The displays spread over 3 floors, and are thematically divided: The Jewish family, the Jewish community, faith, culture, daily existence, relations with the non-Jewish environment.

The exhibitions on the ground floor change every few months. In 2011 an exhibition was dedicated to the culture of the Jews of Iran, one of the most ancient Jewish communities in the world. Rare works of art and religious artifacts were donated or lent to the museum by dozens of Jewish families who had immigrated to Israel from Iran.

If you are Jewish and want to learn more about your roots, make sure to visit this museum. You will also have access to existing Jewish family trees, and an opportunity to create your own. You can also trace the origins of many Jewish family names.

But also if you are non-Jewish and wish to learn more about the Jewish People, the people who built Israel and the communities in the Diaspora from which they or their forefathers came, do not miss this museum.