Stimulating religious study - 20/04/2010
Part of our ongoing Quality Badge series.
Encourage student curiosity and enhance Religious Education with a visit to the Manchester Jewish Museum.
Manchester Jewish Museum offers teachers and students a professional approach to education against the backdrop of a stunning Victorian former synagogue. For more than 25 years, the Manchester-based museum has brought the study of Judaism to primary and secondary school students in a way that is rigorous, encourages curiosity and, most importantly, is fun.
Learning sessions at Manchester Jewish Museum aim to promote social inclusion and cultural diversity by bringing the Jewish religion, history and culture to life. The museum offers programmes for Religious Education, PSHE, Citizenship and History to groups of all Key Stages. It can also offer bespoke courses to suit the cross-curricular approaches that are being introduced by the Rose Review in primary education and the new secondary curriculum.
Study at the synagogue
Manchester Jewish Museum is housed in a former Spanish and Portuguese synagogue, which has been beautifully restored and is Grade II listed. Situated in the heart of what was the old Jewish quarter of Cheetham Hill, a mile out of Manchester city centre, it is accessible by public transport however school groups are advised to use a coach.
The downstairs section of the museum - where the men used to sit - has been retained as it used to be. Students can sit in the mens’ section, with the opportunity to view and touch the articles of prayer and see a Torah scroll that is around 300 years old. The former ladies’ gallery features a permanent exhibition about the social history of Manchester Jewry, while temporary exhibitions are held in a separate hall at the rear of the building.
Many visiting school groups comment on the spirituality that pervades the building, however because the synagogue has been deconsecrated, students should have no inhibitions about touching items on the handling table or exploring the different sections, albeit in a respectful way.
An introduction to Judaism
School groups begin their visit seated in the downstairs former men’s section, enabling them to gain an introduction of the various aspects of Judaism. After an initial talk, students can then explore the building, using a worksheet resource as a focus. Groups can then opt to return to the seating area for a question and answer session, or for a demonstration of the Sabbath or Passover.
