Sydney Jewish Museum is closed to the general public for redevelopment. We remain open for school excursions and corporate groups.

  • The Nature of Modern History: Constructing, Contesting and Investigating the Past

The Nature of Modern History: Constructing, Contesting and Investigating the Past

Back to school programs
Key information
Cost $21/student, teachers free Minimum cost $210 Duration 3 hours Capacity 250 students per day Curriculum links Stage 6 Preliminary Modern History, Investigating Modern History – The Nature of Modern History: The Contestability of the Past, The Construction of Modern History The program includes 1 hour Holocaust survivor talk
1 hour guided, or semi-guided tour
1 hour workshop with a Museum Educator
About the program:

Dive into source analysis, grapple with historiography and build a better understanding of the Holocaust within a wider historical context through this three hour program. In an interactive workshop led by an Educator, your students will gain insight into the process of creating history.

Do you have a specific topic focus or desired outcome in this unit? Let us know in your enquiry and we will work with you to create a tailor-made workshop for your students.

This year, the Sydney Jewish Museum is embarking on a redevelopment project, which will enable us to significantly expand the exhibitions and programs we deliver, and to welcome many more visitors, teachers and school groups. From 2025, we will continue to deliver our quality, impactful and curriculum-linked educational programs at the Museum for school groups. We will offer program bookings between 10am and 1pm. Where possible, we will try to accommodate programs outside of these times. We will also be offering hybrid online and in-museum programs to help meet your needs.

If you’d like to speak to our team about your booking, you can contact us at bookings@sjm.com.au

Image credit: SJM Collection.

School Excursions Enquiry Form

  • If your name is not on this list, please select 'Other - School Not Listed'

  • Preferred Dates

  • For example: unit of study, texts being studied, additional needs, and any prior knowledge

Plan your visit

On the day

  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your program start time and assemble students across the road from the museum in Green Park.
  • Please send a member of staff to the main museum entrance to let us know you have arrived and our education team will come to greet you.
  • Students will enter via the main museum entrance on Darlinghurst Road.
  • Note that the museum has a substantial security presence. Your group may be asked to consent to a bag search.

What to bring

  • Due to limited locker space, we request that students do not bring large backpacks.
  • If the students plan to eat before or after their visit, please ask them to bring very small bags so that we can put several bags in each locker.

Access

  • We strive to make our programs accessible and inclusive to students of all needs and abilities. Please advise us if you have any additional needs for your visit.

Content advice

  • Note that the content covered at the museum may be distressing to some students.
  • We recommend bringing your school councillor and/or members of your pastoral care team to the visit.

Payment

  • An invoice will be sent after your visit, unless organised otherwise.

Confirmation of numbers

  • All bookings must confirm any changes to student numbers at least 7 days prior to the visit in writing. Schools will be charged for the number of students we have on record 7 days prior to the visit.

Cancellations and booking changes

  • Changes and cancellations including dates, times and student numbers must be made in writing.
  • Each booking is permitted two changes at no cost. Each additional change over and above these two changes will incur a $30 administration fee.
  • Cancellations made within 7 working days of the scheduled booking will be charged in full.

Risk assessment

Please click here for our risk assessment.

Pre and post visit lesson plans

Our Educators have created activities and resources for teachers to use to engage students before and after their visit to the Museum.

Click here to download the pre and post visit lesson plans.

Complementary Programs and Resources
Site Study: Memory and Memorialisation

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Approach the history of the Holocaust through looking at the Museum’s architecture and exhibitions. Students will explore how history is constructed through memorial spaces and display of historical objects.

 More details The Nature and Development of Human Rights: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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Focuses on the nature and development of human rights through the lens of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the immediate context of the Holocaust and World War II.

 More details Power and Authority: The Rise of Nazism, Consolidation of Power and Ideology

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Understand how two thousand years of European Jewish life were destroyed with the rise of Nazism by delving deeper into the circumstances under which the Nazi party and Hitler were able to rise to power.

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