Celebrating 30 years at Alma Road

The Jewish Museum of Australia: Gandel Centre of Judaica (JMA) is celebrating 30 years at its Alma Road home with an open day on November 30.

The open day will include a range of programs including a Chanukah-themed kids’ storytime with PJ Library, a panel discussion with past and present curators, a guided tour of Tammy Kanat’s exhibition Circle of Her with curator Esther Gyorki, and a live jazz performance by Rita Satch.

The JMA opened in Alma Road in 1995, and since then has welcomed visitors from within and outside of the Jewish community including many schools, enabling the exploration of Australian Jewish life, culture and identity. Prior to 1995, the Jewish Museum was housed at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, an initiative led by Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky.

“Moving from the small classrooms at the rear of the Toorak synagogue where the museum had found its original home in 1982 was momentous,” reflected former chair of the museum and current board member and Life Governor Zelda Rosenbaum. “After searching for 11 years, the building opposite the St Kilda Shule, while it needed alterations, seemed ideal. So for one year the museum closed its doors and the exciting task of designing a new museum began.

“They were heady days as we raised funds and collected offerings of amazing Judaica from the community. Under beds, in attics and cupboards and from other unlikely sources emerged the beginnings of the permanent collection which now numbers some 25,000 items.