Manchester Jewish Museum

150 Years of History of the Sephardi Synagogue at Manchester Jewish Museum

As part of the 150th anniversary of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue at Manchester Jewish Museum, 14 significant items from the collection will be displayed. The synagogue, which was opened in 1874, was a testament to Manchester’s growing Sephardi community at the time and features a succah with a sliding roof. It has also undergone extensive renovations and now includes a modern gallery, café, shop, learning studio and kitchen, as well as the synagogue, which is now part of the permanent exhibition.

Until 6 January

M8 8LW. 08432 080 500. www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com

Thursday 7 – Wednesday 20 November

UK Jewish Film Festival

The UK Jewish Film Festival returns, showcasing many UK, European and world premieres of new features, documentaries and shorts. The Manchester screenings open with A Real Pain by Jesse Eisenberg (7 Nov), a dramedy following mismatched cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin), who journey through Poland to honour their beloved grandmother and explore their Jewish heritage, but the adventure takes a turn as tensions arise. The festival closes with The Performance (20 Nov), Shira Piven’s adaptation of an Arthur Miller short story spotlighting an American tap dancing troupe on a European tour in 1937, who unexpectedly dance for Adolf Hitler despite one of the performers being Jewish.

Times, prices and venues vary. https://ukjewishfilm.org

until Thursday 12 December

Opera Appreciation

Diana Rosenthal presents three pieces of opera; Beethoven’s Fidelio (19 Sep), Janacek’s The Makropulos Affair (14 Nov) and Verdi’s Othello (12 Dec). Hear the themes of the works and see how the dated pieces relate to modern times.

1.30pm. £10. Menorah Synagogue, M22 4RZ. www.menorah.org.uk

Thursday 31 October

Synagogue Nights: Dekel

Singer-songwriter Dekel presents Starlings, inspired by her Jewish spirituality. The performance features cello, accordion, acoustic guitar and clarinet.

7pm. £16. Manchester Jewish Museum, M8 8LW. www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com

Sunday 3 November

Synagogue Nights: Rossi 400

Celebrating 400 years since the publication of the groundbreaking music volume, The Songs of Solomon by Jewish Italian composer Salomone Rossi, this concert features a septet performing sacred and secular vocal pieces by Rossi and his contemporaries from across Europe. The singers, performing in Hebrew, Italian, Latin and English, will be accompanied by traditional Baroque instrument the chitarrone (a large lute). Vache Baroque is a charity led by musicians on a mission to bring music and drama of the Baroque era to a diverse range of young and disadvantaged people.

7pm. £14. Manchester Jewish Museum, M8 8LW. www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com

Thursday 10 November

Synagogue Nights: Music for the Soul

The multi-talented Rabbi Danny Bergson is passionate about inspiring audiences through his music. Watch as he explores synagogue sounds, Jewish folk songs and Hasidic music.

7pm. £14. Manchester Jewish Museum, M8 8LW. www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com

Sunday 24 November

Loose Lawyers

Muslim Jewish Forum’s annual panel event returns, where two Jewish and two Muslim lawyers respond to various thought-provoking topics. This year, they discuss which Jewish or Islamic religious laws England would benefit from incorporating, before answering related audience questions. Kosher refreshments will be provided. Booking essential.

3pm. FREE. Salford Civic Centre, M27 5FJ. www.muslimjewish.org.uk

Sunday 17 November

Synagogue Nights: Matriach

Jessica Litwak’s one-woman play follows Shemie, a girl who is on the brink of giving up on life before being visited by prophetess Miriam. Using puppetry, Litwak conveys a message about healing through the wisdom and love of those who came before us.

7pm. £14. Manchester Jewish Museum, M8 8LW. www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com