JoM | Collections and Content
A virtual museum of Jewish ethnography creates new challenges for its curators and collectors: how can a Jewish museum without doors, rooms or cabinets make space for a collection? The digital realm offers an infinite and changing display space that can open new 'doors' to learning about Jewish culture and history.
The gold-rushes of the 1860s increased Jewish population of New Zealand considerably, and with the new Jewish immigrants came objects and artefacts from their lives lived oceans away. The JoM collection is presented here as an ecclectic exhibition of images that reflect a range of items including objects made in New Zealand and those attained through travel, particularly to and from Europe.
The JoM collection photographically documents and digitally preserves items that currently sit in the homes of our contributors, and also has documented and photographed objects that are proudly owned by New Zealand Jewish congregations and communities. Many of these objects are still used today in Jewish homes and weekly services around the country, and remain a part of New Zealand's daily life, festivals and rituals. The collection to date includes ceremonial objects, memorabilia, photographs, Judaica, and archival documents.
In time, you will be able to browse through the collection and discover the stories that sit behind each object. If you'd like to help us grow our collection of object/images, please see our Contribute page for information on how to donate.
Image header (above): Portrait of a Girl by Grace Joel, seen in the Library of Olveston House, Dunedin. Copyright 2007 Bill Nichols Photography, courtesy Olveston Historic House