Temporary move for Manchester Jewish Museum

Manchester Jewish Museum is making a temporary move next month – as building work starts on the major extension of its historic Cheetham Hill building.

The museum is currently housed in a former synagogue – the oldest in Manchester.

Built in 1874 by Jewish textile merchants, the Spanish and Portuguese synagogue has been described as a “jewel” by architectural historians., but the historic building needs urgent repairs and the development project will restore the Grade II* listed synagogue to its original architectural splendour.

During this time, the museum will move its collections into the basement of Manchester Central Library – creating an interactive pop-up Jewish Museum in the centre of Manchester for the very first time.

Museum objects, historic photographs and recordings will go on display at Central Library to tell and share the story of Jewish Manchester.

Alongside the ‘object selection machine’ will be a ‘synagogue in a box’. Designed for schools visiting the Library, children will use art & craft materials to transform the library space into their own bespoke synagogues and, in the process, learn about the Jewish faith and worship.

The Manchester Jewish Museum at Manchester Central Library will be open to the public from Tuesday 16 July.