London: Jewish museum awarded lottery grant
Heritage Lottery Fund awards 5.8 million euros to Jewish museum in London to explore community’s heritage; museum will concentrate on attracting families, minority groups
The Jewish Museum in London has been pledged more than 5.8 million Euros to create a ‘world class museum’ which explores the community’s heritage.
The decision by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to make the award was taken by the organization’s trustees at a meeting last month.
It is the largest single such award ever received by a Jewish communal organization, and will triple the size of the museum’s base in Camden Town, bringing its collections, activities and displays from two sites under one roof.
The grant will contribute to the building and design costs and will provide the museum with additional space for new historical, special interest and enlarged exhibition galleries.
Three additional permanent galleries, the Religion, History and Holocaust Education, will be housed on the first floor.
There will also be a 100-seat auditorium and an education suite for schools and creative workshops, as well as a research library and cafe.
Three key themes — identity and diversity, migrations and diasporas, and combating prejudice — will run through the permanent and special exhibitions.
Delight
Rickie Burman, director of the museum, said: “We are thrilled at the news. We are incredibly grateful for this major boost to our development plans which will create a world-class museum in London.”
The total cost of the development project is 8.4 million pounds and the museum is currently raising the additional 4.2 million pounds.
A museum spokeswoman said: “This is a major challenge as the museum needs to raise the funds required within the next 12 months.
“But the HLF grant should offer a tremendous boost to our fundraising efforts, and just over one million pounds has already been raised.”
The new museum will concentrate on attracting people such as children and families, and other minority groups through its doors. It will also try to double its number of volunteers, with better training facilities.
The museum’s collections cover the history, culture and religious life of Britain’s Jewish community and beyond, from Mediaeval times to the 20th century. They include one of the largest collections of Jewish prints and drawings, photographs, and extensive oral history archive and material relating to refugees from Nazism and
Holocaust survivors
Carole Souter, HLF director, said: “We’re delighted this substantial grant will now enable the museum to create a fascinating and integrated venue in which to celebrate and learn about Jewish history, culture and religion.
“We were particularly impressed with the museum's commitment to attracting a diverse range of visitors from both London and much further a field.
“The capital has long been in need of a first-class museum which celebrates the Jewish community and we’re confident that the Jewish Museum, with this support, will be able to provide just such a place.”
Article published by arrangement with European Jewish Press , a pan-European news agency based in Belgium
Big Ben
Photo: CD Bank
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