Expanded Sydney Jewish Museum aims to challenge prejudice with pride

History is core to Jewish identity, but Jewish life is not all in the past.

A new Centre for Contemporary Jewish Life, due to open in early 2027, will transform the Sydney Jewish Museum into a place that celebrates living Jewish culture, while continuing to value the stories of the past.

The Centre will couple with the existing Holocaust Museum, to provide both a sense of Jewish vitality and value, and a powerful counter to antisemitism.

 SJM president Greg Shand told The Jewish Independent that the driving factor for the expansion is education.

 “The educational and outreach role of the Sydney Jewish Museum – especially to those outside our community – is more important than ever. This is a time to be courageous, challenge hatred and tell our story with pride. We are at a critical moment in our history as a community and as a people.” 

The expanded museum will double the space and footprint of the original building, enabling twice as many visitors to 100,000 annually.

Founded in 1992 by Holocaust survivors, the SJM preserves the personal stories of survivors, honours the victims, and educates future generations about the dangers of intolerance.