Manchester Jewish Museum

SYNAGOGUE NIGHTS

A season of intimate performances in our 150-year old synagogue

Synagogue Nights are returning this Autumn! Join us for a series of atmospheric evening events, taking place in the stunning setting of our 150-year old Spanish & Portuguese synagogue.

Get ready to be captivated by vibrant performances that celebrate Jewish art in all its wonderful diversity. This year, we’re shining a special spotlight on Sephardi stories, in honour of our synagogue’s milestone 150th anniversary.

From imaginative plays to the beautiful sounds of Hassidic music, our exciting lineup promises something extraordinary for everyone. We can’t wait to see you!

Programme:

Nani Vazana: World’s 1st Millennial Ladino Songwriter

Sunday, 27 October, 7PM

With a ship’s-horn power voice and irresistible stage presence, Nani defends the endangered Ladino language – the language, close to Spanish, spoken by the Jewish population of multifaith Spain in the 15th century. Her music traces beautiful multicultural influences from her journeys, mixing the lively sounds of the marketplace with Flamenco drama.

Dekel: “Starlings”

Thursday, 31 October, 7PM

Dekel is a singer-songwriter, whose music spans various eclectic genres, from folky jazz to indie alternative. Featuring cello, accordion, acoustic guitar, clarinet, her songs are beautifully sculpted and inspired by her Jewish spiritual world. The music is vibrant yet gentle.
Dekel grew up in Haifa overlooked by the evergreen Mount Carmel and attended the prestigious Beit Zvi performing art school.  She currently lives between Tel Aviv and London.

Vache Baroque presents “Rossi400”

Sunday, 3 November, 7PM

Join us for a breathtaking concert celebrating the works of 17th-century Jewish-Italian composer Salomone Rossi. Joyful prayers, lamenting solo songs, and passionate madrigals sung in Hebrew, Italian, Latin, and English will paint the musical landscape within which Rossi lived and worked. Five talented Vache Baroque singers, accompanied by the enchanting sounds of the chitarrone (a medieval lute with an extended neck), will bring these pieces to life.

Rabbi Danny Bergson: Music For The Soul

Sunday, 10 November, 7PM

Join Rabbi Danny Bergson as he takes you on a journey through synagogue music as well as Jewish folk songs and the moving sounds of Hassidic music! Rabbi Danny Bergson is a communal rabbi in St Anne’s synagogue. Previously he was rabbi in Glasgow and London. He is also a trained singer and guitarist and is passionate about inspiring audiences through music. His favourite saying is “if words are the pen of the mind then music is the quill of soul!”.

“Matriarch” by Jessica Litwak

Sunday, 17 November, 7PM

Matriarch is a one-woman play about getting through hard times by calling on our cultural ancestors for help and wisdom. Shemie is on the brink of giving up on life, but everything changes when she’s visited by the prophetess Miriam. At its heart, this puppet play is about healing through the wisdom and love of those who came before us.

Bookings open:

  • Monday, 2 September for MJM Members

  • Wednesday, 4 September for general sale

PROGRAMME

Dekel: “Starlings”

Dekel is a singer-songwriter, whose gentle music spans various eclectic genres, from folky jazz to indie alternative. Featuring cello, accordion, acoustic guitar, and clarinet, her music blends vibrant melodies with deep spiritual themes from her Jewish heritage. It radiates warmth and authenticity, weaving together soothing melodies with heartfelt lyrics that invite listeners into her world.

Vache Baroque: #Rossi400 “The Songs of Solomon”

Join us for a breathtaking concert celebrating the works of 17th-century Jewish-Italian composer Salomone Rossi. Five talented Vache Baroque singers, accompanied by the enchanting sounds of the chitarrone (a medieval lute with an extended neck), will bring these pieces to life.

“Matriarch” by Jessica Litwak

Shemie is on the brink of giving up on life, but everything changes when she’s visited by the prophetess Miriam. At its heart, this puppet play is about healing through the wisdom and love of those who came before us.

DONATE & SUPPORT