[1][2][3] The idea of founding a Jewish museum emerged in the late 1970s and was based on two motifs: the lack of a Jewish museum dealing with history and art, although Judaism has been present in Belgium since the Middle Ages, and the small number of public collections.

The event was successful, and a small group was founded in 1981, which put together a collection, as well as a financing basis and the purchase of a property.

Initially, the Ministry of Labor and Finance, and later also the French and Flemish-speaking communities and the regions, agreed to support the group's efforts.

Work continued on makeshift premises above the Beth Israel Synagogue on the Rue de Stalingrad/Stalingradstraat, which were provided by the Central Council.

[4][5] The museum has a collection of items that relate to Jewish customs from Europe, Asia, and Africa, dating back as far as the 18th century and mostly from the region to the east of river Rhine and countries around the Mediterranean.