Our museum groups are a great way to connect with people, learn new skills and have a great time while engaging with history and culture.
Whether you’re a foodie, a crafter, a culture vulture or a budding song-writer, we’ve got the perfect activities for you.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT MANCHESTER JEWISH MUSEUM
See below for details of our different groups and how to get involved.
Are you interested in exploring contemporary Jewish Culture? Do you like to share and discuss ideas? Do you want to meet new people and discover new things?
Jewish Culture Club is a free group for anyone who wants to explore contemporary forms of Jewish Culture – this could be books, TV, film, fashion, music, art, theatre and much more! The group is open for anyone aged 18 and over, whether you identify as Jewish or are just curious to discover new things.
We meet once a month, on a Wednesday at 6:15pm to talk about a specific piece or topic. It’s a great chance to discuss ideas with new people, explore your own identity and discover new experiences of Jewish stories and culture.
Our group is hosted by our very own Demi Franks and Gemma Meek.
Email demi@manchesterjewishmuseum.com for more information.
Do you have a passion for music? Do you like expressing yourself through words? Do you like the idea of writing your own songs?
Our song-writing group meets monthly to create new music, lyrics and words inspired by the themes and stories in our collection and by the artists and events in our creative programme.
Led by our Programmes Manager Gemma and joined by local composer and artist Michael Betteridge this group is perfect for anyone who likes to sing, write creatively, play instruments, write poetry or just loves to be part of something. It’s a great space to find new inspiration and share ideas with a supportive group.
We regularly work with composers, singers, musicians and artists to create new work and learn new ways of making music and weaving together words.
No previous musical or writing experience necessary – come along and give it a go!
Email gemma@manchesterjewishmuseum.com for more information.
Do you want to join a new group, meet new people and learn new skills? Are you nifty with a needle or can spin a good yarn?
Our Women’s Textile group is a great place to make new friends and practice your textile craft. Working with different artists and guest speakers, the group works on a variety of creative projects.
We meet at the museum on the second Thursday of every month. This is a friendly, safe and welcoming group open to any self-identifying woman from any faith. It’s a great way to learn new creative skills and meet other women. It’s completely free and no sewing experience necessary.
Email dara@manchesterjewishmuseum.com for more information or to join the group.
Panels created for the Laure Prouvost installation by the Women’s Textile Group, image by Michael Polllard
In 2021 our Textile group, led by artist Jo Scorah, worked with Turner Prize-winning French artist Laure Prouvost to create an installation in The Ladies’ Gallery of our synagogue as part of Manchester International Festival.
Read more about their collaboration in MIF’s blog
A dress the group created, exploring the members’ own different identities and heritages, will be featured as part of HOME’s Manchester Open Exhibition in 2022 as part of a celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent.
Would you like to become a Museum Foodie? Our Foodie Group meet monthly to discuss, cook and eat food inspired by stories from our collection, artists and events we programme, as well as our own members heritage’s and backgrounds.
Our workshops are informal, chatty and a chance to meet new people, as well as learn about new recipes and cooking traditions.
If you enjoy learning about people’s stories as a side order to your dinner, this is the group for you. (No cooking experience needed).
Email demi@manchesterjewishmuseum.com for more information.
Our Artists’ Network is for anyone who uses Jewish themes in their practice or is interested in making work in heritage settings. We hold regular development workshops and create opportunities for networking and support.
Our Creative Activists are a group of young people seeking to create powerful acts of sharing and connection with our local communities to help make a positive difference in the world.
They will be working with Manchester Jewish Museum as part of Imperial War Museum’s Second World War and Holocaust Partnership Programme, to explore creative ways of commemorating the Holocaust and connecting these stories with our local communities.
In 2021 they worked with writer Nicola Baldwin and facilitator Kate Bradnam to create ‘Alone But Together’, telling the powerful and moving stories of Frieda, Esther and Lily. These stories were edited by StoryFutures Academy to be part of a touring installation with Imperial War Museums coming to Manchester Jewish Museum next year.
E-mail dara@manchesterjewishmuseum.com for more information or to join the group.
Our local community is incredibly important to us and we can’t wait to welcome you all into your new museum.
Do you live in an M8 postcode? Become one of our Museum M8s and get free admission to the museum all year round for you and your family.
We are proud to be part of Cheetham Hill’s community and this is just one way we can help give back to our community.
Sign up for free online to get your M8s rates