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Sydney Jewish Museum Open for school excursions. Reopening to general public in 2027 with new exhibitions.
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The Sydney Jewish Museum challenges perceptions of democracy, morality, social justice and human rights and places the Holocaust in an historical and contemporary context.

10/10/2026

Hear first-hand stories of resilience in our Survivor Sunday series.

Judith (Judy) Nachum (nee Lachowitz) was born in Czechoslovakia in July 1928. In September 1938, when the Germans annexed the area, the family moved to Prague. When the Nuremberg Laws soon came into effect they were forced to wear a yellow Star of David. Judy grew up in an Orthodox family and didn’t mind being identified with the star; she wore it proudly. When she was 13 she was deported to Theresienstadt with her mother and sister. She lived in the children’s home and worked on the plantation. In this interview, we hear how she put everything at risk in order to provide some food to her family.

In 1944, Judy and her mother and sister were sent to Auschwitz. From there, they were sent to Oederan and then back to Theresienstadt. Following liberation they went to Prague and, in 1961, she moved to Australia with her husband.

Judy didn’t talk about her experiences of the war until 1984 when she had a heart attack. She didn't know why, but in the hospital she began telling her story to everyone. Judy was a survivor guide telling her story at the Sydney Jewish Museum until she passed away in 2014.

Every week, we share testimonies of survival and resilience. Follow Sydney Jewish Museum and visit sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/survivors for more stories.

7 October 2023 is a date etched into the collective consciousness of people worldwide. In December 2023, the Sydney Jewi...
07/10/2026

7 October 2023 is a date etched into the collective consciousness of people worldwide.

In December 2023, the Sydney Jewish Museum commissioned the acclaimed photographic artist Emmanuel Santos to visit Israel to document the impact of the October 7 atrocity, where 1,200 Israeli and other nationals’ lives were taken and hundreds of hostages abducted. These photographs were the subject of our 2024 exhibition: Into the Heartless Light of Darkness.

Today, we commemorate the lives lost, the families and communities affected by the attack and we pray for peace in the Middle East.

04/10/2026

Hear first-hand stories of resilience in our Survivor series.

Helena (Lena) Goldstein was born in 1919 in Lublin, Poland. At a young age, she was forced into the Warsaw Ghetto, established by the N***s in 1940. Today, we hear her memories of the horrific conditions inside - from the overcrowded buildings to the desperate struggle for survival that pushed young children to risk their lives smuggling in food for their families.
Lena escaped from the ghetto in 1943. After that, she went into hiding in an underground bunker for 6 months before being liberated in January 1945. She then married and immigrated to Australia in 1949.

Every week, we share stories of survival and resilience. Follow and visit sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/survivors to learn more.

Photos: The Warsaw Ghetto, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

In the Jewish tradition, the 7-day holiday of Sukkot is followed by an independent holiday called Shemini Atzeret. In th...
02/10/2026

In the Jewish tradition, the 7-day holiday of Sukkot is followed by an independent holiday called Shemini Atzeret. In the Diaspora, this is a two-day holiday, and the second day is known as Simchat Torah. This holiday is characterised by blessings and joy, which reaches its climax on Simchat Torah, when we celebrate the conclusion and immediate restart of the annual Torah-reading cycle.
Did you know this Jewish holiday? Read more and follow to discover Jewish traditions and culture ✡️

The Sydney Jewish Museum is pleased to host the launch of former Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's memoir, 'A Grateful...
01/10/2026

The Sydney Jewish Museum is pleased to host the launch of former Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's memoir, 'A Grateful Son'.

Drawing on his family's migrant and Holocaust-survivor heritage, Frydenberg reflects on his journey from Melbourne's Jewish community to the highest levels of Australian politics, including his tenure as Treasurer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The memoir offers a personal perspective on resilience, identity, leadership and the opportunities that have shaped modern Australia.

The evening will feature a conversation with Josh Frydenberg, followed by audience Q&A and an opportunity to purchase signed copies of the book.

Hosted by Sydney Jewish Museum & Central Synagogue.

Book your tickets now at sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/events

Book launch: A Letter to Eva Sunday 18 October When 88-year-old Eva Engel - our wonderful SJM volunteer guide and commu...
01/10/2026

Book launch: A Letter to Eva
Sunday 18 October

When 88-year-old Eva Engel - our wonderful SJM volunteer guide and communal personality - unexpectedly receives a pen pal letter in the post from 11-year-old Gabriel, she is thrilled and intrigued.

Someone is interested in her?

Through conversations during a time when the world was shaken by a global pandemic, Eva shares her incredible childhood story with young Gabriel.

Written by Lisa Miranda Sarzin•illustrated by Giovanna Papallo, its Eastern Suburbs launch is Sunday 18 Oct.

More info, visit:
https://www.alettertoeva.com/ See less

26/09/2026

"Hear first-hand stories of resilience in our Survivor Sunday series.

Helena (Lena) Goldstein was born in 1919 in Lublin, Poland. Forced into the Warsaw ghetto - which the N***s established in 1940 - she was recruited by the resistance to fight against the Germans in any way she could. She assisted fellow Jews in the struggle for survival and, in 1943, escaped from the ghetto. After that, Lena went into hiding in an underground bunker for 6 months before being liberated in January 1945. She then married and immigrated to Australia in 1949.
Here, we hear her recollection of the first Jewish deportation, when hungry and desperate Jews were tricked into going to camps hoping for better conditions, or forced to turn in other people under threat of harm to their families. Unfortunately, all of them had to face a terrible fate.

Every week, we share stories of survival and resilience. Follow and visit sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/survivors to learn more.

25/09/2026

🛖Did you know that Jewish people build huts to celebrate the end of ancient harvest seasons and to commemorate the biblical exodus from Egypt?

🍋The Jewish festival of Sukkot starts tonight and will last for 7 days. People will gather under the 'sukkah' to share meals and perform traditional ceremonies such as the shaking of the lulav and etrog.

Let’s find out more about Sukkot through items from our collection, and follow to learn about Jewish culture and traditions.

📸Share your own Sukkot traditions and celebrations on Chai-Lights, our crowdsourcing platform, at chai-lights.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au

Colour photographs taken by Ben Apfelbaum for Sukkot. SJM Collection, M2010/124:012, M2010/124:014,
“Succot”, “Celebrating Sukkot”, “Celebrating Sukkot on the Go”, from Chai-Lights, chai-lights.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au
Silver Etrog container in the shape of the etrog, Germany, 1884. SJM Collection, M2006/001

18/09/2026

This Sunday is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement in the Jewish tradition. It’s the holiest day of the Hebrew calendar, dedicated to prayer, reflection and atonement for one’s sins. It is observed with a 25-hour fast starting at sunset and ending after nightfall on the following day. Find out more on the customs and rituals of this important Jewish festival, and follow to learn more about Jewish culture.

You can share your own testimonies of Jewish life on Chai-lights, our crowdsourcing platform, at chai-lights.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au

Silver belt buckle, Russia, 1860. SJM Collection, M2008/071

Did you or your family preserve your Jewish identity under the Soviet Union? We’d love to hear that story.The Sydney Jew...
16/09/2026

Did you or your family preserve your Jewish identity under the Soviet Union? We’d love to hear that story.

The Sydney Jewish Museum is seeking objects and personal stories from former Soviet Jewry about how they preserved their Jewish traditions and connections to community while their religious and cultural expression was suppressed and even criminalised. These artefacts and experiences will form part of a new exhibition – when SJM reopens next year – exploring ideas, concepts and stories that unpack more than 4000 years of Jewish history and culture.

Senior Curator Shannon Biederman said that the smallest objects often carried the most powerful memories.
“We are interested in the ordinary as much as the extraordinary. You do not need to know whether an item is historically important or belongs in a museum collection. If it carries a story about maintaining Jewish identity, faith, culture or connection under Soviet rule, we would love to hear about it.”

If you have a story to share, email [email protected], or visit sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/news/call-out-for-soviet-jewry-stories to learn more and make a submission. Submissions close 31 October.

Series of woodblock prints for Abraham Heschel’s book ‘The Earth is the Lord’s’, by IIya Schor (1904-1961). SJM Collection, M2006/017:006, M2006/017:011, M2006/017:012, M2008/077:012
Silver case and stand for Megillat Esther with engraved motifs, c 1900. SJM Collection, M2006/031
Illuminated Megillat Ruth, 1920. SJM Collection, M2008/057

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