Sydney Jewish Museum seeks guides in preparation for expansion
The Sydney Jewish Museum (SJM) is calling for new volunteer guides to join its team through an innovative training programme, as it gears up for a major expansion set to double visitor numbers by 2027.
Senior Educator Lee-Anne Whitten emphasised the vital role of guides in the museum’s education efforts. “When our expanded museum reopens in 2027, we expect to double our annual number of visitors to 100,000, most of them students,” Whitten said. “We’ll need twice as many guides to help share with them the museum’s rich collection of objects and inspiring stories.”
A guide shows a group of students around the museum (supplied)
The new course, titled ‘Generation to Generation’ (G2G 2026), is structured in two stages and serves as a prerequisite for becoming an SJM guide. Stage One focuses on The Holocaust and runs from February to July, excluding New South Wales school holidays. This stage is exclusively for new guides.
Stage Two, centred on the Centre for Contemporary Jewish Life, is open to both new and current guides. It equips participants with the knowledge and skills to lead tours in the museum’s upcoming Contemporary Jewish Life galleries, as well as its established Holocaust exhibition.
Toby Hammerman, an eight-year veteran volunteer guide, shared his personal journey with the programme. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, Hammerman was drawn to the course after retiring, inspired by the museum’s community impact.
Toby Hammerman
“Beyond the outreach aspect, the course has helped me understand the context of my father’s family history,” he explained. “It strengthened my desire to tell the story to generations who have little or no exposure. The course was stimulating, thought-provoking, and gave me the tools to confidently enjoy the guiding experience. I highly recommend it!”
Hammerman highlighted his enjoyment of evolving from storytelling to object- or artifact-based guiding, along with observing visitors’ engagement. “I also like the reaction of school students and other visitors as they become involved with the displays,” he added. Initially hesitant about his ability to share these stories and connect with diverse young audiences, Hammerman credited the course’s techniques and positive feedback for building his confidence. “I feel an emotional connection to my father and his extended family every time I enter the museum,” he said. “I know they would have wanted their stories to be told.”
The museum’s expansion aims to enhance its role in preserving Jewish history and culture while educating broader audiences. Interested individuals can find more details at www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au/guide-course or express interest by emailing [email protected].
