Collection: Joseph Bau Museum

Joseph Bau (1920–2002)

Joseph Bau was a Holocaust survivor, Schindler’s forger, and a hero of the Kraków Ghetto, Płaszów concentration camp, and Oskar Schindler’s camp. His forged documents saved countless Jewish lives. Amid that darkness, he secretly married Rebecca Tennenbaum, inside the Płaszów concentration camp, a scene later immortalized in Schindler’s List.

After the war, Joseph Bau continued his quiet heroism, working with the Mossad as a graphic artist, forging documents for legendary spies such as Eli Cohen and for the team that captured Adolf Eichmann, protecting Israel’s security.

He was also a pioneer — Israel’s first animator — and a beloved calligrapher, poet, and illustrator. His tiny Tel Aviv studio, founded in 1960, became a place where art, humor, and hope came alive.

When Bau passed away, his daughters, Hadasa and Clila Bau transformed that studio into the Joseph Bau Museum. For over 20 years, we’ve welcomed visitors from across the world, sharing his story through storytelling, song, and education. The museum has been ranked the #1 attraction in Tel Aviv and among the top 1% worldwide on TripAdvisor.

But today, the museum faces its greatest challenge. The building has been sold, and demolition is imminent. Unless we act now, this one-of-a-kind hero’s story could be lost.

To learn how you can help:
Save the Joseph Bau Museum, visit: linktr.ee/Josephbauhouse