Manchester Jewish Museum

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 connect Jewish stories to the world and to our society to explore both our differences and similarities and celebrate that which makes people unique and that which connects us all.

In doing so we look to spark reaction and change and to make real the knowledge that there is more that binds us together than separates us.

We boldly explore and combine educational, cultural and artistic experiences to encourage those with whom we come into contact to feel and believe that we are all better together. We make connections to make things better.

Manchester Jewish Museum is based in Cheetham Hill, an area with a rich Jewish history and one of the most culturally diverse neighbourhoods in the country.

Our historic Sephardi synagogue, built in 1874 by Jewish architect Edward Salomons, reflects the Spanish and Portuguese heritage of its early congregation. Over time, as the community moved towards the suburbs, the idea to transform the synagogue into a museum emerged as a way to preserve and celebrate the stories of Manchester’s Jewish life.

Because Jewish people arrived here from across the world, our collection reflects a global blend of influences, from Sephardi traditions of North Africa and the Middle East to Ashkenazi life in Eastern Europe.

These shared cultural threads also connect us with our culturally diverse neighbours in Cheetham Hill, particularly through food, family, and celebration. Being based in such a vibrant and diverse part of the city inspires everything we do.

We’re proud to help tell the stories of North Manchester’s past and present, whether through our creative programmes, partnerships with local organisations, or our role in chairing the annual Cheetham Cultural Festival.

Our work wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers, local partners, and community members.

We’re proud to be part of such a vibrant and culturally diverse area, where creativity and collaboration thrive. Every day, often behind the scenes, people work hard to make Cheetham Hill a welcoming, supportive, and inspiring place to live and create.

What makes us especially proud is the spirit of togetherness that defines our community. Cheetham is a shining example of what can happen when people put aside their differences, share their stories, and celebrate their shared humanity.