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Gallery 4: The Future for the Synagogue

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.

Entrance of Bevis Marks Synagogue

Interior of Bevis Marks Synagogue

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.

Interior of synagogue. Seven hanging brass candelabra symbolise the seven days of the week the largest of which represents the Sabbath. This central candelabra was donated by the Great Synagogue of Amsterdam. Twelve pillars symbolising the twelve tribes of Israel support the Ladies’ Gallery. Backless benches at the rear of the synagogue are from the original synagogue at Creechurch Lane and date from 1657.

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.

Conservation to the Gilding

Conservation to the Gilding

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 new gallery. In addition to being the oldest synagogue in continuous use in Europe, Bevis Marks has a remarkable collection of items relating to the history of the Jewish faith and community. These items will be available for visitors to see when the new Visitor Centre opens at the synagogue in 2022. Seen here, the new area displays the collection, including accessible storage so much of the collection will be made available.

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 vault before excavation

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.

Excavating the vault

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.

The vault showing treasures of the community. The silver collection which is particularly fine, will be shown in the original undercroft of the Synagogue alongside many of the items of significance for the Jewish faith. All the items which will be on show have been in store for many generations and the new Visitor Centre will be the first opportunity to bring them all together. The collection at Bevis Marks ranges from textiles and paintings to remarkable archives and records tracing the history of the community from the 17th century.

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.

The new entrance with disabled access

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

Take a closer look at the collection

Entrance of Bevis Marks Synagogue

Interior of Bevis Marks Synagogue

Interior of Bevis Marks Synagogue

Conservation to the Guilding

Conservation to the Guilding

The Vault before Excavation

Excavating the Vault

The New Entrance

The New Gallery

The Vault showing Treasures of the Community