The Jewish Museum of Padua has carried out significant work on its digital presentation and is eagerly preparing for the upcoming European Days of Jewish Culture. Here’s our interview with Francesca Clamor, in charge of programs at the Museo Padova Ebraica…
Jguideeurope: How was the digital renewal perceived by the visitors? What was added?
Francesca Clamor: The introduction of support for the new web app, which functions as a digital audio guide, has been instrumental over the past year in improving the explanatory materials we use and making them more user-friendly and accessible to everyone.
This has enabled us to expand the opening days and hours of the Jewish Heritage Museum of Padua. During the summer of 2026, we will be open to the public from Sunday to Thursday. Visitors who use the web app are generally very satisfied with the experience, although our greatest strength remains the guided tours led by our staff and volunteers. Every Sunday, we offer six scheduled guided tours at fixed times, providing valuable opportunities for direct interaction, dialogue, and engagement between visitors and guides.
The interactive table dedicated to the Jewish calendar has also proved to be particularly useful for children. Through a playful and engaging experience, they can learn about Jewish holidays, their meanings, and the traditions associated with them.
Are you organizing cultural events in autumn?
At the moment there will be no special events scheduled, except for the European Day of Jewish Culture, which will take place in September, shortly before Rosh Hashanah. This year’s theme will be Love.
In addition, we will soon inaugurate a new digital feature within the Museum exhibition. We have produced five videos that explore key aspects of the Jewish history of Padua, using a more engaging and dynamic storytelling approach designed to appeal to younger generations.
Did the museum receive new objects or documents recently?
The object added to the collection during the last year are some pretty silver plates useful to order the call at the Torah’s reading on the Bimah, donated by Enrico Bellio.
Do you feel there’s a tikkun olam willingness in the sharing of Jewish heritage after those last three difficult years?
Certainly, continuing to tell the story of Judaism, and of the Jewish community of Padua in particular, is a fundamental social commitment for the present day—an urgent mission that has become even more pressing over the past three years. By promoting an educational approach based on peace, we aim to contribute to a more open and respectful society for all. Through the sharing of Jewish heritage and culture, we are committed to firmly combating antisemitism, as well as all forms of racism and social inequality.