Museum of Italian Jewish art of Umberto Nahon – one of a kind. Few tourists know of its existence, and yet it is worth visiting. The Museum collects original art objects and documents from Jewish communities throughout Italy and recreates Jewish life in this country for centuries. The main collection was brought from Italy to Israel in the mid-twentieth century by Dr. Umberto Nahona who saved Judaica through the empty synagogues.

The building in which the Museum is interesting in itself. In the so-called complex Schmidt (named after the priest Wilhelm Schmidt) in the nineteenth century there was a German Catholic society, a shelter for pilgrims and charity. The classical symmetry of the facade, arched Windows and arches characteristic neo-Gothic style (third floor, more simple, was added in 1925). Very nice room-dining room on the ground floor, now used for lectures and concerts, with its frescoes on biblical themes and motifs in Oriental style of the late XIX century.

When in twentieth century Catholic society moved, and in Jerusalem handed over the decoration of the synagogue of Conegliano, which required the premises, it was decided to give the complex under Schmidt Museum.

The synagogue of Conegliano – the pearl of the Museum. Founded in the XVI century in the Italian town of Conegliano synagogue as Jews until the First world war, and after, when the congregation dispersed, were abandoned. In 1951 all the decoration of the temple moved to Jerusalem, and here, in the former complex Schmidt, completely restored the interior of the synagogue. She didn't just become an integral part of the exposition, but is well used by Italian Jews living in Jerusalem. The center of the synagogue is a magnificent ark (vault Torah scrolls) of the XVII century, richly decorated with carved wooden ornaments and gold leaf.

Actually the Museum is small, but its permanent exhibition "Made in Italy: the material side of spiritual objects" extremely interesting. Jews were present in Italy continuously for the past 2200 years. They tried to preserve their own identity, but they adopted the local customs and artistic trends can be seen on ceremonial products, made in the Baroque and Rococo. All exhibits are distinguished by elegance and striking attention to detail: here's the silver set for washing one's hands of the XVIII century in the shape of a shell, that's the same time the end of the Torah, like miniature architectural structures, that the parokhet (the temple veil) of the XVII century with artfully embroidered on it with the verses and patterns...

Single room given over to books, documents, private letters, telling about the life of Jews in Italy for five centuries and their integration into local life. It is interesting to study marriage contracts – for example, the Treaty for the marriage of Abraham and Sarah, enclosed in Livorno in 1728. Well-preserved document written on a large sheet of parchment and decorated with various patterns.