Gallery 4: The Future for the Synagogue
Bevis Marks is the oldest synagogue in the United Kingdom. Built in 1701, the Grade 1 Listed building is a significant part of the historic landscape of London.
The community’s collection, intangible Sephardi heritage, and archive provide a unique continuous record of Jewish life in Britain. Works to improve access, interpretation and functionality will ensure that Bevis Marks is fit for purpose as a historic attraction, living community and cultural centre.
New staff, volunteers, and a dynamic activity programme will see a steep change in operation and heritage management, with a dramatic increase in heritage users. Previously undisplayed collections will be made accessible.
Conservation
The project, funded by National Heritage Lottery Fund, will help to conserve the wonderful interior of the synagogue, unchanged since 1701.
It will also improve access to the synagogue for the community and visitors alike. The project has also enabled the collections held by the Spanish and Portuguese Sephardi community to be catalogued, conserved and finally put on display.
Visitor Centre
A new Visitor Centre will provide facilities for school groups and adult visitors.
The wonderful collections of the synagogue will be on display for the first time, and visitors will learn about the history of this fascinating place and gain an insight into the Sephardi Jewish community and their contribution to the life of the City of London.
The existing undercroft will be opened to display vestments and silver, the floor of the undercroft has been lowered to provide sufficient headroom to allow visitors to enter the space and view the treasures of the collection.
Education
A key role for the Visitor Centre will be to invite people of all ages to learn the history and traditions of the Jewish religion. Learning and Engagement is a key activity for the Visitor Centre which will be open to all, including adult groups who can tour the synagogue and attend programmes of talks and lectures, visit the café and the historic displays all year round.
In particular, young people from schools all over London and the UK will be invited to visit. Bevis Marks will welcome pupils from schools representing other faiths or no faith.
School groups will visit the synagogue for a guided tour and then move on to the Visitor Centre and the displays where they will be able to understand the history of Bevis Marks in the City and its importance in the history of European religion.
Author: Bevis Marks Synagogue