The Sydney Jewish Museum with kids may seem like an unusual choice. But for me, it provides an important context to our family narrative that I want my children to understand. For that reason, I have sought out visits on three continents so far, providing both Striker and Sunshine with a developing concept of the importance of human rights and freedoms. These museums are not obviously child-friendly, but with a little planning they can start your family’s visit can be beneficial.
Visiting the Sydney Jewish Museum with Kids
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Completing a family tree for some Australians can be a difficult activity, although I only realised this when I started primary school and was unable to trace my paternal lineage any further than my grandparents. Just after World War II, my grandmother and grandfather arrived in Australia as displaced people, unable to return to the Poland that they had known as children. For me, visiting Holocaust museums such as the Sydney Jewish Museum provides a little context to our family history, as even our oral history was lost with both my grandmother and grandfather passing before my birth.
When visiting the Sydney Jewish Museum with kids I made an effort to speak to the team before progressing around the exhibits. In our experience of visiting museums that feature the Holocaust, there are often areas or particular spaces that parents may wish to provide strong parental guidance around or avoid. I am typically adverse to censorship but have learned that my children need a lot of support around these areas and can find it traumatic (how can such a subject NOT be traumatic!) so I may avoid them after reviewing how the content is presented.
CLICK TO READ ABOUT OUR TRIP TO THE LOS ANGELES MUSEUM OF THE HOLOCAUST (LAMOTH)
Permanent Exhibits
The Sydney Jewish Museum itself has been beautifully designed to provide visitors with a multi-sensory experience across the exhibits. Across each exhibit, visitors are able to view historical artefacts, various interactive presentations, video footage and personal stories.
The permanent exhibitions include:
- Culture and Continuity: Journey through Judaism
- Serving Australia: The Jewish Involvement in Australian Military History
- The Holocaust
- The Holocaust and Human Rights
Meet a Survivor
Around 27,000 survivors of the Holocaust migrated to Australia after World War II. Across Australia, around 7,000 remain with just under half living here in Sydney. As time goes by the opportunity to speak with a survivor of the Holocaust will become less possible. At the Sydney Jewish Museum, there are around 30 survivors who speak regularly. This is an opportunity not to be missed.
The testimonials of survivors are central to understanding the Holocaust. For many years it was something the public was not interested in hearing about, adding to an urgency today to collect these stories. For me, we need to hear and rehear their stories to ensure history doesn’t repeat ever again.
Planning Your Trip to the Sydney Jewish Museum
Before visiting the Sydney Jewish Museum, make sure you download the SJM Voices app here prior to your arrival. It uses geo-technology to provide you with an audio immersion through the museum.
The Sydney Jewish Museum is a site very popular with schools. As such, it is recommended that visitors arrive at the museum after midday if they wish to avoid the school crowds on school days.
Included in your entry fee is the option to take part in a guided tour. Guided tours are available on weekdays at 1.00 pm or on Sundays at either 12.00 pm or 2.00 pm. Of course, museums staff and volunteers are on hand to answer your questions at any time.
Please note that you will need to move through a secure room prior to entry. Large bags will need to be placed in a locker and DSLR and larger cameras are not permitted.
Location: 148 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Cost: Family $32 (2 adults and 2 students). Children under 10 FREE.
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 10.00 am – 4:30 pm; Friday 10.00 am – 3.00 pm; Saturday Closed; Sunday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm; Public/Jewish Holidays Check here
Parking: There is metered parking around the Sydney Jewish Museum. The price varies depending on where you park
Website: sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au
We self-funded our trip to the Sydney Jewish Museum with kids.
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