First Jewish Museum in Moscow Has Opened; Oldest Items in Exhibits Are from the 18th Century

The first Jewish Museum in Moscow has officially been opened, the Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) website reports today (May 20, 2011).

The museum -- which is privately funded -- is the first of its kind in Russia. It opened on May 18.

Museum founder Sergei Ustinov -- the vice president of Russia's Jewish Congress -- told RFE/RL that some of the exhibits were brought by individuals and some of them were donated to the museum.

The oldest items in the exhibits -- some of which were bought at auctions abroad -- are from the 18th century.