All education programmes must be booked in advance. For more information on educational activities at the Jewish Museum please contact our education officers on +44 (0)20 7284 7384 or education@jewishmuseum.org.uk.

Education programmes

Discovering Judaism

All workshops are half day sessions (~2 hrs) unless otherwise stated.

TOTALLY TORAH

KS1: QCA Unit 2A: What is the Torah and why is it important to Jewish people?

  • What is the Torah? What does it say? * See Torah scrolls and handle Torah decorations from the museum’s collection. * Explore the Hebrew alphabet. * Try writing with a quill and ink like a scribe or illustrate your name in Hebrew. * Make torah decorations!

FESTIVAL FOCUS Adaptable for different festivals: Passover, Purim, Hanukah, Sukkot, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

KS1: QCA: Unit 1E: How do Jewish people express their beliefs in practice? How and why is Hanukah celebrated? What is the festival of Passover? Why was Moses a leader?

KS1: 3G: How and why celebrations are important?

  • Act out a story from Jewish history. * How do Jewish people celebrate Jewish festivals today? * Explore objects, traditions and taste food connected to the festival. * Related arts and crafts activities.

OTHERS THROUGH OUR EYES - faith schools only

KS1: Unit 1E: How do Jewish people express their beliefs in practice?

  • Learn about the key elements of Judaism from the context of your own faith. * Explore the similarities and differences. * Related object handling and creative activities.

WHAT TO WEAR?

KS1: 4: How does a tallit help Jewish people to pray to God?

KS1: QCA Unit 1E: How do Jewish people express their beliefs in practice?

  • Learn about and try on traditional and ritual items of Jewish clothing. * Who wears them and why? * Design your own kippah (skullcap) and tie your own tzitzit (fringes).

SHABBAT SHALOM

KS1: QCA Unit 1E: How do Jewish people express their beliefs in practice? How does a Jewish child celebrate Shabbat?

KS1: 3E: What people believe about God, humanity and the natural world.

KS1: 3G: Celebrations: How and why celebrations are important.

  • Why do Jewish people have a day of rest? * Discover Sabbath traditions and rituals through role-play. * Learn a Sabbath song. * Hear a Sabbath story. * Decorate a candle, candleholder, spice pouch or kiddush cup.

ILLUMINATING JUDAISM

KS1: QCA Unit 1E: How do Jewish people express their beliefs in practice?

  • See and handle different types of Jewish candles and lamps used in the home, synagogue and for festivals. * Explore the importance of light and what it represents. * Decorate your own candle holder, make a candle or design a stained glass picture.

HOME AND SYNAGOGUE - full day (half-day workshop also offered for either home or synagogue)

  • Explore the items you would find in a synagogue (am). * Explore the items you would find in a Jewish home (pm). * Related creative activities.

NEW: Primary package:

We are offering a new package to schools, where children benefit from 3 different Jewish Museum London learning experiences during their time at primary school:

1. KS1 – Visit to a local synagogue within Greater London (run by an education officer)
2. KS2 – Visit to the museum for an interactive half-day workshop (with the option of expanding this to a full day) This workshop can be a Discovering Judaism workshop OR a Kindertransport workshop to link into World War II studies. A full-day workshop could cover both topics.
3. Use of the Discovering Judaism loan box – loaned to your school for two weeks per year, at a time of your choice.

The cost of this scheme is either £135 or £210 per year based on a class of 30 children.
Breakdown of costs:
KS1 trip – £60
KS2 workshop – £75 (or £150 for full day)
Loan box – free! (only a £50 returnable deposit in case of damages)
Total – £135 per year (or £210 per year including a full-day museum workshop)

Planning a visit
Planning a visit
Click here for FAQs on how to organise your educational visit.
Discovering Judaism
Discovering Judaism
Our innovative and interactive educational workshops allow students to learn about Jewish religion, ritual and culture.
Holocaust education
Holocaust education
Explore the moral, spiritual and personal dimensions of the Holocaust through our educational programmes.
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 1
Browse our programme of learning activities for children aged 5-7.
Key Stage 2
Key Stage 2
Browse our programme of learning activities for children aged 7-11.
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3
Browse our programme of learning activities for children aged 11-14.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4
Browse our programme of learning activities for children aged 14-16.
Post-16
Post-16
Browse our programme of learning activities for students aged 16-18.
Jewish schools and groups
Jewish schools and groups
The museum offers a range of education programmes specifically designed for students at Jewish schools and groups.
SEN
SEN
Our Discovering Judaism programmes can be enjoyed by SEN groups, using tactile and sensory experiences to meet diverse needs.
INSET
INSET
Intensive in-service courses are available for teachers, covering issues of planning, delivery and assessment of lessons.
Outreach
Outreach
Discover more about how we can bring our programmes into your classroom.