The Joseph Bau House Museum is an authentic artist workshop that conveys to the visitor the incredible life story of Joseph Bau, reflected in the wide range of his creativity, which includes paintings, graphics, movies, animation, and literature—all with the humor of his optimistic point of view.

The museum is unique. It is the only one of its kind and combines animation, cinema, graphic art, Holocaust remembrance, photography, espionage, poetry, the love of Israel and the Hebrew language. Through Joseph’s humorous paintings, you get acquainted with a rich and sophisticated language where every word has a deep meaning. Through the graphic and advertising works, you learn about the beginnings of film, press, and television in Israel.

Visitors are exposed to a fascinating and exciting life story that includes the rescue of Jews during the Holocaust, seeing the positive side of life, and learning how humor, love, and optimism can help a person survive even the most difficult situations.

Joseph Bau met his wife, Rebecca inside the Plaszow concentration camp. He smuggled himself into the women’s camp dressed as a woman, and there, they were secretly married. Their wedding is depicted in the movie, Schindler’s List.

Visiting the museum leaves a lasting impression. You are exposed to the values that guided Joseph during the Holocaust and led him to be one of the first graphic artists and animators in Israel. Only after his death was it discovered that Joseph worked as the chief graphic artist for the Mossad, and as part of his job he forged various certificates for spies, including those for Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy in Syria, and by contrast—for Eichmann and the team sent to capture him. Joseph never spoke of these activities.

The museum exhibits animation devices and the tiny cinema that Joseph built with his own hands. On the walls are fonts he designed for Israeli movies. Joseph’s work has gained international recognition and has been displayed in many galleries around the world, in places such as the UN building in New York, the Oskar Schindler Museum in Krakow, the Spanish Parliament in Madrid, and the Museum of Tolerance in Moscow. His paintings of the Hebrew language have been exhibited in the Israeli Knesset as well as internationally.

Many tourists, students, soldiers, and the elderly have visited to hear the story of the museum and about the lives of Joseph and Rebecca Bau. In 2020, they received the prestigious certificate of “Jews who saved Jews” during the Holocaust by B’nai B’rith International.

In 2023, Trip Advisor designated the Joseph Bau House Museum in the top 1% of best attractions worldwide. This recognition highlights the museum’s impactful tribute to the life and work of Joseph Bau, a personal glimpse into his story, blending humor, resilience, and creativity. In 2024, the museum was designated as “Best of the Best” winner by TripAdvisor.

Unfortunately, the Joseph Bau House Museum now faces an uncertain future, as the building has been sold and is scheduled for demolition. A new permanent location must be secured to assure the legacy of Joseph and Rebecca Bau. To ensure the museum’s survival, a $100,000 feasibility study with Gallagher and Associates is planned to explore potential sites and sustainable business plans for relocation. Your support can help preserve this invaluable legacy. Visit the museum in person or check out our virtual tour to learn more.