Jewish Museum of Australia

The Jewish Museum of Australia in St Kilda explores Jewish life through art, culture, history and personal experience. Its focus is the Australian Jewish story, presented in a way intended for people from all backgrounds. Visitors can move between exhibitions, collection displays and public programs that encourage curiosity, conversation and a broader understanding of Jewish culture.

The current exhibition program includes Through a Jewish Lens: Lynkushka, Saxon and Zahalka, which brings together two bodies of work from the Museum’s collection. The exhibition considers the experiences of Jewish refugees after the Holocaust and their integration into Australian society. ZAHALKAWORLD: an artist’s archive is also listed as open, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the work and archive of artist Anne Zahalka. The Museum’s shop also features a limited-edition print created for that exhibition.

The Museum is more than a traditional exhibition space. Its program includes guided tours, St Kilda walks, student and educator sessions, and Free Fridays, which offer a changing series of activities centred on art and Jewish life. Families with young children are catered for through events such as PJ Library Storytime, where children can encounter Jewish values, traditions and ideas through age-appropriate stories before exploring the galleries with their grown-ups. Some programs are designed for teams and corporate groups as well.

The Museum’s history reaches back to 1977, when it was established by volunteers led by Rabbi Ronald Lubofsky. After presenting exhibitions in temporary locations, the organisation opened its current Gandel Centre of Judaica in 1995, in a building opposite the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation. That community-led background remains part of the venue’s character: it is a place shaped by collecting, storytelling and connection, while its stated values emphasise inclusion, openness and engagement beyond the Jewish community. It suits visitors interested in Australian history, art, migration, identity and living culture, as well as families and groups looking for a thoughtful gallery visit in Melbourne.