Manchester Jewish Museum

20 September 2020

Time Capsule Discovery

As building work on our building project nears completion ready for its Spring 2021 opening, our builders have made an astonishing discovery of a time capsule hidden in the historic synagogue’s walls.

The glass jar, complete with its wax seal intact, was discovered by a builder hidden deep in a wall cavern next to the Museum’s Ark (the holy cupboard which houses the Torah Scrolls). Filled with money, synagogue papers and newspapers, these original artefacts are dated from around the time when the synagogue was first founded in 1873. Early synagogue minutes show records of the capsule being laid in the cornerstone of the original building.

Our CEO Max Dunbar said, “This timely discovery comes at an apt and symbolic time when millions of Jewish people around the world prepare for the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the Day of Atonement, a reflective and thoughtful time of year when many observers look backwards as a means to move forwards. We are thrilled and overwhelmed by its discovery and look forwards to showing it off in our collection when we re-open next Spring.”

PREVIOUS NEWSSEE ALL NEWS

“History shows us that progress has never been a straight line; it moves in cycles, advancing and retreating.” – Interview with Stuart Eggleton and Joseph Winer of ‘Solomon’

On Thursday, 23 April, Manchester Jewish Museum will host 'Solomon', a new biographical solo play written by Stuart Eggleton and directed by Joseph Winer. The play tells the extraordinary story of Simeon Solomon, a brilliant, boundary-pushing queer Jewish artist at the heart of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. From his meteoric rise in the art world to the public scandal that shattered his career, Solomon’s story is both inspiring and devastatingly relevant. Ahead of the show, we spoke to Stuart and Joseph about the incredible story behind this play.

Our Chanukah Appeal: Help us continue to bring people together!

The entire museum Team wishes you and your loved ones a restful holiday season and a bright, joyful Chanukah. We are deeply grateful for your support over the past year. As a registered charity, we rely on the generosity of our members, supporters and partners to be able to bring our work to life. We believe that our work is needed now more than ever, but we need your help to continue our mission and grow our impact.

“My goal is simple yet profound – to celebrate our shared Jewish identity” – Interview with Bat Ella

On Sunday, 7 December, the museum will host an intimate solo performance by acclaimed Israeli singer, Bat Ella. In this interview we talk about her musical journey, finding her Jewish identity and her upcoming Chanukah concert.

Chief Executive Gareth Redston hands over Manchester Jewish Museum for the next part of its journey

After a decade at Manchester Jewish Museum, including the last three years as Chief Executive, Gareth Redston stepped down from his role in May. We sat down with Gareth before he left to talk about his time at the museum, his proudest moments, and what lies ahead.

A photograph of a middle-aged woman with braided hair. She is wearing a red dress with long sleeves. She is raising her right arm and is shouting.

“Sara Wesker may have lived 100 years ago but her story is definitely a “Play For Today”.” – Interview with Lottie Walker

On May 1st, International Workers’ Day, Manchester Jewish Museum will host a performance of “Chopped Liver and Unions”, a one-woman play which tells the remarkable but largely forgotten story of Sara Wesker, a trailblazing trade unionist who led the “singing strikers” of 1928, stood on the barricades at Cable Street, and fought tirelessly for East End garment workers. Ahead of the show, we spoke to performer Lottie Walker about the incredible story behind this play.