Calendar of Events

Current Temporary Exhibitions

Butterflies of Hope

Enemy Aliens

Sunday 6 June 2010

Free Sunday
2pm Movie Screening

Sunday 26 April 2010

Free Entry Day (Anzac Day Holidays)

Sunday 25 April 2010, 10am

NAJEX Anzac Day commemoration

Monday 12 April 2010

Butterflies of  Hope Exhibition 

Open for Viewing in the temporary exhibition gallery

Sunday 11 April 2010, 1pm

Yom Hashoah
Reading of the Names

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Enemy Aliens: from unwanted refugees to valued Australians

New display open for viewing in the cafe 

Sunday 21 March 2010

Screening Hana’s Suitcase A remarkable experience 4.30pm
Discussion: The Story Surrounding Hana’s Suitcase, in the Benefactors’ Hall 7pm .

The compelling story of Hana’s Suitcase pieces together the life of Hana Brady, born in Nove Mesto, Czechoslovakia and murdered in Auschwitz in 1944, aged 13, having spent two years in Theresienstadt Concentration Camp.

Halfway around the world from the devastation of Europe and 50 years later, Fumiko Ishioka, Museum Curator of the Tokyo Holocaust Centre, inspired by the testimonies of Holocaust survivors she met at a conference in Israel, became determined to teach Japanese children of the plight of millions of Jewish children in World War II.
From Auschwitz she acquired a few artefacts - a child’s sock and sweater, a shoe, a can of Zyklon B poison gas and Hana’s suitcase; and so began her Holocaust exhibit.

In her role as Curator dedicated to furthering tolerance in the world, Fumiko explored many avenues in her search for information about the owner of the forlorn, abandoned suitcase, now a feature item in her museum display. A trip to Poland and Czechoslovakia revealed little until a breakthrough occurred at the Museum of Theresienstadt, where Fumiko was delighted to learn that Hana’s older brother, George, was alive and living in Canada. Her letters to George resulted in his eventual trip to Japan and to the writing of this moving story - a testimony to the life of Hana and other children like her and a product of the determination of Fumiko Ishioka.

We are delighted that Fumiko Ishioka, Director of the Tokyo Holocaust Centre, together with George Brady’s daughter, Lara, will be at the Museum for a discussion on the remarkable documentary Hana’s Suitcase. Sponsored by John and Debbie Schaffer.

Booking essential – phone 9360 7999 Admission by a gold coin donation to each of the two events.

Sunday 8 November 2009 at 3.00pm

Movie Screening (In conjunction with the South African Exhibition)
Joe Slovo - Central to the Struggle

A poignant blend of raw emotion and political insight is captured in these BBC interviews with Joe Slovo, the most famous Jewish South African activist, whose life was devoted to the liberation of the Blacks of South Africa. He stated “they had no vote, no voice, no prospects”. 50 mins

Tickets $10 adults, $5 children. Bookings phone 0406 308 492.

Sunday 15 November 2009 at 11am

Book Launch
Chocolate to Anzac Biscuits by George Sternfeld

The Community Stories Project of the Sydney Jewish Museum is proud to invite you to the launch of George Sternfeld's book Chocolate to Anzac Biscuits.

The book will be launched by Dr. Paul O'Shea, an outstanding educator, with degrees in theology, education and history and the author of A Cross Too Heavy - Eugenio Pacelli, Politics and the Jews of Europe 1917-1943.

Bookings: phone 9360 7999 by 9 November

Sunday 13 December 2009 at 3.00pm

Movie Screening (In conjunction with the South African Exhibition)
Political Football

An outstanding documentary of six courageous Wallabies who, after touring South Africa in 1969 realized that playing international rugby against South Africa would be condoning apartheid. The political consequences of the tour both in Australia and South Africa are explored, as well as
the personal cost to this group of Wallabies who sacrificed their personal ambitions for the sake of a principle. 56 mins

Tickets $10 adults, $5 children. Bookings phone 0406 308 492.

Sunday 20 December 2009 at 3.00pm

Movie Screening (In conjunction with the South African Exhibition)
The Syringa Tree

We are proud to announce that we have been able to acquire the film of this brilliant and powerful story about a family in South Africa during the apartheid years. It hasbeen hugely successful around the world as a solo stage performance by Pamela Gien, the gifted writer of the play and actor who plays all 26 characters in the story. It is an unforgettable and overpoweringly moving exploration of racism, love, innocence, exile and the spiritual connection between the earth and its people. 95 mins

Tickets $10 adults, $5 children. Bookings phone 0406 308 492.

Sunday 18 October 2009, 4pm
Lecture by Dr. Stephen Smith MBE
Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute, established in 1994 by Stephen Spielberg 

"In the year 2045, how will the Holocaust be remembered?"

Internationally renowned speaker Dr Smith is one of the world’s leading advocates for Holocaust education. He was founding director of the UK Holocaust Centre, Britain’s first dedicated Holocaust memorial and education centre and has been involved in memorial projects around the world, including the creation of the Kigali Memorial Centre in Rwanda. He was consultant to the Cape Town Holocaust Centre and a member of the International Task Force for Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research. He co-founded the Aegis Trust, the agency engaged in the prevention of crimes against humanity and genocide.

As a scholar he has explored the impact of the Holocaust on religious and philosophical thought and practice, examining how Holocaust survivor narratives have developed over time and shape the way in which the implications of the Holocaust are understood.

We are very privileged to offer this unique opportunity to hear Dr Smith talk on a subject so important to us all on his first visit to Australia.

Admission is free but booking is essential.
RSVP by 15 October by phoning 9360-7999 or email admin@sjm.com.au

Light refreshments will be served following the lecture.

Sunday 23 August 2009 11.00am & 2.00pm

Sunday 2 August 2009 4.00pm

Movie Screening (In conjunction with the South African Exhibition)
Choosing Exile

Presenter: Marc Radomsky, the filmmaker Marc’s great grandfather came to South Africa from Lithuania. Four generations later, Marc and his family made the difficult decision to leave for Australia.  Awarded best documentary at the Kalamata International Festival 2003, Choosing Exile explores the painful choices of migration amidst the breakdown of post-apartheid idealism. 55 mins.

Tickets $10 adults, $5 children. Bookings phone 0406 308 492.

Sunday 5 July 2009 4.00pm

Movie Screening (In conjunction with the South African Exhibition)
South Africa: Beyond a Miracle

Presenter: Andrea Durbach, ex-South African political trial lawyer Chronicles the evolution of South Africa from the tragic years of apartheid to miraculous elections and the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and finally examines the hopes for a strong democracy.

Tickets $10 adults, $5 children. Bookings phone 0406 308 492.

Sunday 21 June 2009 4.30pm

Panel Discussion (In conjunction with the South African Exhibition)
Forgive? Forget? – The Holocaust, Apartheid and the Stolen Generation

Panelists include: Linda Burney, State MP and Indigenous Australian; Associate Professor Andrea Durbach, Human Rights Lawyer and Professor Colin Tatz, genocide expert. Dr Paul O’Shea, historian and educator will moderate the discussion.

Tickets $10 each, concessions $8. Bookings phone 0406 308 942.