Our Story

The Sydney Jewish Museum was founded in 1992 by Holocaust survivor John Saunders, with support from other survivors who made new lives in Sydney after the war. Within our walls, they created a place to share their memories, commemorate the six million Jewish people who were murdered and provide important messages to future generations. 

Today, it is a living museum where Jewish cultural life and heritage in Sydney are illuminated and preserved, where memories are honoured and history is researched. It’s a place that gives voice to the victims of the Holocaust, where survivors still visit to share their stories with people from all walks of life, so they can start conversations and inspire change within modern Australia. 

Where history has a voice 

The Sydney Jewish Museum’s tagline, “Where history has a voice”, distils the origins of the Museum and its mission that continues to carry it forward into the future. 

The objects within the collection and on display in the Museum’s exhibitions tell compelling stories of their owners and contribute to the narratives that the Museum tells within its walls. Testimony, accessible digitally and face-to-face, anchors the objects in the display cases to real-world events and gives life and narrative to history. 

Our collection 

The Sydney Jewish Museum collects and conserves original memorabilia related to the Holocaust, Judaica and Australian Jewish history to make these available for display and research for generations to come. Our collection drives our exhibitions, research and education programs. 

Donations of objects, letters, documents and photographs are needed to expand our collection, preserve the narrative of Jews prior, during and after the Holocaust, and serve as a memory for future generations. 

Exhibitions 

The Museum’s past exhibitions have traced the history of Judaism, the persecution of Jewish people, their migration to Australia and service in the military, and have more recently expanded to cover human rights issues affecting Australia. Using artefacts, interactive technologies and testimonies, history is given a voice within the Museum’s walls. 

The Museum’s Holocaust exhibition is currently open onto to school groups, whilst the Museum embarks on a major redevelopment project. 

Programs and facilities 

Much more than just a history museum. Even while the Sydney Jewish Museum is closed for redevelopment, it is a destination for engaging events and professional training programs . 

Membership 

Members and Patrons of the Museum are part of a unique and warm community, and enjoy a range of benefits. 

Education 

The Museum offers a diverse and engaging range of virtual workshops and onsite excursions for primary and secondary school students. Through encounters with Holocaust survivors, Museum educators and knowledgeable guides, history is brought to life and made relevant to students’ specific learning outcomes. 

For teachers, the Museum holds teacher professional development sessions throughout the year, designed to provoke new ways of thinking, invigorate classroom teaching practices and provide relevant resources. 

 From 2025, we will continue to deliver our quality, impactful and curriculum-linked educational programs at the Museum for school groups. 

Support us 

The Sydney Jewish Museum relies on the generosity of its supporters to continue its vital work. The Museum receives no government funding for our operational needs and, as with all museums, cannot survive on membership and entrance fees alone. 

There are many ways in which individuals and organisations can support the Sydney Jewish Museum. These include donations, legacies and bequests, and plaque dedications. 

Survivor stories 

History of the building 

Contact us