The collage you can see here is dedicated to Hasidism - the "doctrine of piety". This is a religious Jewish doctrine that originated in the 18th century in the Ukrainian lands. Based on traditional beliefs, Hasidism suggested seeking joy in faith and in life, proclaiming honesty and dedication more important than formal religious scholarship.

The founder of Hasidism was Ba'al-Shem-Tov, whose real name is Israel bin Eliezer. He was born in about 1700 in the town of Okup on the border of Podillia and Wallachia. In the early 1740's he moved to Medzhibozh (town in Western Ukraine) where he spent the last 20 years of his life. A fast-growing community of followers rallied around Ba’al Shem Tov. After the death of the teacher, his students were founded by numerous Hasidic communities. From small groups, Hasidism has over time turned into a powerful and ramified movement that has spread around the world. Nowadays Israel and the United States are the main centers of Hasidism.

On the collage, you can see materials about representatives of the main Hasidic dynasties, and a photo of the hasidim celebrating Purim, as well as samples of traditional Hasidic clothing.

To the right around the corner, in the showcase, there are original samples of Hasidic clothing.

In showcase 1.12 you can see Kapota – the usual everyday clothing of most Hasidim. The features of the kapota tailoring can determine the country of origin of its owner. Hungarian hasids wear especially long, tightly closed kapota made of plain fabric, often with textured, but also black or blue stripes. The Kapota of the Polish hasid is slightly shorter and has a deep cut and a slit at the back. This is exactly the kind of model in front of you. The Kapota should be girded with special waistband – gartel, woven of black silk thread or fabric.

Showcase 1.13 presents the hasidic hats. They are dressed only in solemn occasions: at Shabbat, for a wedding, for a meeting with the Rebbe. These fur hats are called Shtreimels. There are more than two dozen types of shtreimels. Usually, this is a black velvet yoke, fringed with black or brown tails of a fox or sable. Shtreimel is only worn by married men. The tall black fur hat of cylindrical shape is a Spodik worn by the Polish Hasidim. Kolpik is a form of something between the Spodik and the Shtreimel. This is the hat that was worn by the sixth Lubavitch Rebbe.

In showcase 1.14 you can see a holiday Kapota - outfit for special occasions. The festive kapote is made of silk, it should be girded by the so-called Gartel, woven with the addition of golden silk thread. Such kapotes have traditionally been worn by Jews who have long lived in the Eretz – the Land of Israel.