To accompany the course we followed on National Oak Academy about Judaism, we spent a morning at the Manchester Jewish Museum to bring to life what we’d learned. This museum was opened in July 2021 after a £6 million redevelopment which included a new gallery, café, shop and learning studio/kitchen as well as complete restoration of the Spanish and Portuguese synagogue next door.
It’s quite a small museum but we spent just over an hour there looking around. There are beautiful displays about the first Jewish families who came to Manchester and an incredibly moving film in which those families talk about their experiences.
There are plenty of artefacts to look at and a synagogue to walk around too. They have a children’s worksheet trail you can follow and hands-on displays too. We were able to find everything we’d learned about on our course which was brilliant.
What made this museum extra special, though, was the volunteer guide who answered all our questions and added so much to our visit. He provided the personal perspective which is so needed when you learn about a religion. He was based in one of the first rooms, and Peggy went back several times to ask him questions about things she’d seen; she clearly felt comfortable talking to him and thought it was worthwhile walking backwards and forwards for his answers!
I would say if you’re going to visit, it would be helpful before you go to have learned about the Jewish faith first and what’s inside a synagogue. We found the museum added enormously to what we’d already learned but I don’t think you’d get as much out of it if you didn’t know anything about Judaism.
We were so impressed with our experience there, that we went back again for a Challah bread-making session the following month. They run regular workshops for any members of the public and many are based around the food of the Jewish community; these are held in their brand-new learning kitchen. When you attend these sessions, your entry into the museum is included in the price. I would therefore recommend going to one of these workshops for best value for money as you won’t have to pay for entry as well.
