A new initiative from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Jewish Culture Month aims to make space for joy and celebration during difficult times. Open to all faiths and backgrounds, it covers a range of themes including British Jewish contributions to music, literature, food, history, fashion, architecture, and comedy. As Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg puts it: “We want both Jewish people and our friends and neighbours of different faiths and beliefs to experience all the light, creativity, and laughter of Jewish life in the UK. Its been a difficult few years for the Jewish community, and we believe that Jewish Culture Month will be an unmissable opportunity for less ‘oy’ and more joy.”
Manchester has embraced that spirit wholeheartedly. Six museums and art galleries across the city are taking part: Manchester Museum, The Whitworth, Manchester Jewish Museum, HOME Manchester, The Met in Bury, and Manchester City Galleries. There will also be two guided walking tours of Jewish Manchester – a chance to explore the community’s deep roots in the city on foot.
Manchester Jewish Museum Interim Chief Executive Sue Shave recognises what the month means for the community: “The Museum is proud to be taking part in Jewish Culture Month. It’s a great way of bringing our communities together to celebrate and share the joy of being Jewish and the contribution made by Jewish people to the very fabric of our society.”
Events include a textiles workshop at The Whitworth, exploring shapes and symbols in Jewish culture and inviting participants to use them as inspiration to create their own textile artworks. At The Met in Bury, Under the Same Sun, Under the Same Moon takes place on 27th May from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Presented by The Met and The Earlybird Project, it’s described as a sensory playscape storytelling session for early years children and their grown-ups, exploring themes of light, beginnings, journey, and belonging, linked with the luni-solar calendar on which Judaism is based.
Nationally, major institutions including the V&A, Tate, the British Museum, the British Library, the Southbank Centre, and the National Portrait Gallery are all hosting events covering the full breadth of Jewish cultural life.
Jewish Culture Month Director Liat Rosenthal – a former curator at Tate Modern – describes the programme as a chance to: “showcase the richness and diversity of Jewish culture in all its forms.” Actor Tracy-Ann Oberman MBE agrees: “The UK Jewish community has given so much to art and culture. This celebration will be a wonderful opportunity to share some of our greatest hits.”
Bod.org.uk/jewish-culture-month | Full details for all Manchester events will be available on the individual websites and social media channels of the participating museums and galleries.
For full programme details visit Bod.org.uk/jewish-culture-month
