2010 marks 26 years since Manchester Jewish Museum first opened its doors. Our fascinating journey through Jewish history in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities has thrilled tens of thousands of visitors. Our home in Cheetham Hill is a stunning former Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, a cultural and architectural gem in its own right.

However, it costs £150,000 per year to cover all the running costs of this much- loved small museum, the only one of its kind outside London. For many businesses this may seem like a small overhead, but for us it is becoming a crippling amount! If we carry on without help trying to cover our costs we estimate that the Museum has only 18 months left before it will have to finally close its doors. The Trustees and Staff have not been profligate in the use of Museum funds and we have had to economise by shedding staff and stopping marketing and advertising this year, neither of which makes our task any easier.

We continue to teach about all aspects of Jewish Life and Faith, including developing a holocaust awareness project, through our exciting educational programmes, whilst always promoting a wider message to all communities of tolerance and understanding, fighting racism and xenophobia. Again recognition has come to us this year with a ‘Marque of Excellence’ from the NW Faith Tourism Association, "the Government's Learning Outside the Classroom quality badge" and the presentation of another Sandford Education Award for the quality of our work.

We have fantastic collections, including photographic and sound archives, all expertly managed, and we are starting to digitise these so that they can be accessed from around the world. We also have a large team of dedicated volunteers, without which the museum could not function and we are led by a strong, focussed work ethic.

We desperately need YOUR help and support.

Please P(L)AY your part in making certain that the Museum doors stay open. All we are asking is for you to covenant £5.00 a month, although any donation is welcome, large or small! We also want you to ask all your friends if they will assist us. This small amount could make such an enormous difference to us and you would be playing such an important part in keeping this landmark building open for the next 25 years, at least!

Please download the forms by clicking on the PDF icon, and help us any way you can.