The Jewish Historical Museum - or Joods Historisch Museum - stands in stark contrast to the city's other major Jewish monument, The Anne Frank House. While the Anne Frank house necessarily focuses on the death of thousands of Dutch Jews, the Jewish Historical Museum focuses on Jewish life. Located in the former Jewish section of Amsterdam, the museum is in a former synagogue. You can reach the museum by Metro or Tram, using the stop Waterlooplein. It's also about a 15 minute walk from the Damrak. There are signs marking the way from Waterlooplein.
The museum's permanent exhibit tells the history of Jews in Amsterdam from the 1600s to the present and has a number of very nice display articles, such as a Torah Ark and many objects from everyday Jewish life, such as seder plates and challah covers. As its housed in a former synagogue, you can also see a mikvah (a ritual bath) and see the layout of a Jewish temple. Jews were largely accepted in the Netherlands and the museum describes in great detail their intergration into Dutch culture and the impact Jews made in the Netherlands. I was surprised to see very little mention of the Holocaust in the musuem, perhaps understanding that the Anne Frank House does a very complete job at that task. It was, still, a bit disconcerting to see it almost skipped.
The permanent exhibit is not large, though it spans two floors, and is supplemented by a children's museum and special exhibits which rotate. There is a cafe on the ground floor and a small gift shop. While I wouldn't list this museum in the Top 10 sights to see in Amsterdam, it was very well laid out and, being off the beaten track, much less crowded than others. If you go, try to make use of one of the museum discount cards. Entrance fees were 6,50 euros when I went and I feel that is a bit steep for the size of the exhibit. Also, consider going on a Friday, when the Waterlooplein flea market is open. It's the best in the city!