Our museum first opened in 1984, housed in a Grade II* listed 1874 (former) Spanish and Portuguese synagogue in Cheetham Hill, one of the most diverse areas in Manchester. Following a 6m redevelopment and extension our new museum includes a new gallery, vegetarian caf, shop and learning studio & kitchen as well as complete restoration of our synagogue.
We hold over 31,000 items in our collection, documenting the story of Jewish migration and settlement in Manchester. The collection is considered by historians to be of national and international significance and our synagogue has been described by Historic England as "one of the highlights of Victorian Gothic architecture in the country".
We hold over 31,000 items in our collection, documenting the story of Jewish migration and settlement in Manchester. The collection is considered by historians to be of national and international significance and our synagogue has been described by Historic England as "one of the highlights of Victorian Gothic architecture in the country".
Services
Manchester Jewish Museum reopens this summer with a unique installation by Turner Prize-winning artist Laure Prouvost in collaboration with Manchester International Festival 2021. We look forward to welcoming you to our new museum. We connect Jewish stories to the world and to our society. Explore our brand-new gallery and fully restored Grade II* Listed synagogue before stopping in our vegetarian caf to sample authentic Jewish recipes.
We hold over 31,000 items in our collection, documenting the story of Jewish migration and settlement in Manchester. Following a 6 million redevelopment our new museum includes a brand-new purpose built gallery to display our collection. All the stories told on gallery are Jewish but by framing them within these universal themes they hopefully feel relevant to all of our audiences, Jewish and non-Jewish.
We are open seven days a week and tickets for general admission are on sale now for timed entries. Pre-booking is highly recommended as we can't guarantee entry for visitors who have not pre-booked. General admission tickets are available to book up to 4 weeks in advance. Art Fund Pass holders receive free admission (advance booking still recommended - email, phone or counter booking only).
Whether you're visiting the museum with people you already know or making new friends with us, there are many ways you can get involved, connect with others and explore the things that make us different, together. Our new museum includes a brand-new learning studio and educational gallery as well as complete restoration of our synagogue, providing the perfect hands-on environment for schools wishing to learn more about Jewish culture.
Explore inside one of Manchester's oldest and most beautiful synagogues as your students learn about the ceremonies and features of a synagogue and explore Jewish traditions such as the Sabbath and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Learn about different Jewish Festivals, including Passover, Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur, in our Festivals & Feasts workshop including on-site Challah bread baking!
Reviews (10)
David Weinberg
Jan 22, 2022
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Shaun Carr
Sep 19, 2021
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If you've yet to visit since the refurb, it's definitely worth another trip!
I really love how they have brought the history of the building and the people who lived in the area to life. This is achieved through immersive storytelling, personal artifacts and a range of clever multimedia.
It's also worth a trip to the café, where there's a wonderful vegitarian selection suitable for any palate. We rate the vegan bagel with shmear & carrot lox.
I really love how they have brought the history of the building and the people who lived in the area to life. This is achieved through immersive storytelling, personal artifacts and a range of clever multimedia.
It's also worth a trip to the café, where there's a wonderful vegitarian selection suitable for any palate. We rate the vegan bagel with shmear & carrot lox.
Mary Collins
Sep 06, 2021
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Edward Hackett
Aug 25, 2021
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We had a fantastic experience at this museum, which was a highlight of our visit to Manchester. The volunteers are welcoming and extremely knowledgeable about the exhibits and the history of the Jewish people in Manchester. We learnt so much from the volunteer who we spoke to, who was enthusiastic and generous in sharing her expertise on various items in the museum. The extension is full of fascinating artefacts offering insight into a wide range of personal stories of those who have made up this community, and is very much in keeping with the beautiful synagogue. We ended up spending a few hours
Badge Bunnyuk
Aug 19, 2021
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Aaron Fletcher
Aug 18, 2021
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The Jewish Museum is one of the best ways to spend any morning or afternoon. It’s jam-packed with so much local Jewish heritage and really gives you a great insight to Manchester’s wonderful Jewish community and how it formed in Cheetham Hill & spread across North Manchester.
With physical objects, written stories, videos and audio monologues, there are many different ways to learn and take in the information. If you need a hand with anything; the extremely knowledgable volunteers are on hand to help with a wealth of knowledge. If they aren’t sure on a question, they won’t mess you around
With physical objects, written stories, videos and audio monologues, there are many different ways to learn and take in the information. If you need a hand with anything; the extremely knowledgable volunteers are on hand to help with a wealth of knowledge. If they aren’t sure on a question, they won’t mess you around
Isaac Rothman
Jul 26, 2021
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Our first time to visit this great museum in Manchester, we went for the Laure Provost Exhibition which is amazing! From the collections my wife likes the English/Hebrew teapot and my daughter saw the batik pattern kippah which is her favourite. For me, I very much liked the synagogue stained glass windows and we really enjoyed coming here. Hope to do this again the future when we go to Manchester!
Dave Green
Jul 10, 2021
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Very welcoming staff and volunteers, lots to see and listen to in a relatively small exhibition space, lovely restored synagogue. Cafe excellent too. Could easily spend 3-4 hours here and not exhaust everything. Suggestion: an introductory guided tour of the synagogue would be useful to people of non Jewish faith.
Shame about the surrounding area, Manchester City Council need to put some more effort in here.
Shame about the surrounding area, Manchester City Council need to put some more effort in here.
Sharon Healy
Jul 09, 2021
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Juliette
Jul 07, 2021
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