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

  • Understanding the Holocaust

Understanding the Holocaust

Back to school programs
Key information
Cost $21/student, teachers free Minimum cost $210 Duration 3 hours Capacity 250 students per day Curriculum links Stages 4 & 5: English; Studies of Religion
Stage 5: History, Core Study - Depth Study 3: Australians at War: World Wars I and II (1914-1918, 1939-1945); Depth Study 6: School-developed topic. The program includes 1 hour Holocaust survivor talk
1 hour workshop with a Museum Educator
1 hour guided, or semi-guided tour
About the program:

Challenge your students to explore Holocaust history and think critically about this period of history. In this three-hour program students will participate in a workshop that focuses on source analysis, introducing them to key primary sources and situating them in context as they learn the way incremental and systematic developments culminated in mass murder.

Your program includes the opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor and put a face to history. Support your students in developing historical empathy as they ask a survivor questions and add personal narratives to their knowledge of the past.

The tour of the Museum allows students to examine some of the nearly 600 images and objects on display; to consider the ways material culture can deepen historical understanding.

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
Resisting the Holocaust

FACE-TO-FACE

This program challenges the misconception that Jews went “like lambs to the slaughter”, with examples of Jewish resistance.

 More details Rights and Freedoms

FACE-TO-FACE

Explore the creation and role of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other crucial documents protecting human rights through the lens of contemporary issues in Australia.

 More details Fact Through Fiction

FACE-TO-FACE

Historical fiction is a unique way for students to engage emotionally and intellectually with the Holocaust. This interactive session will explore the issues of historical accuracy and authorship.

 More details

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