An arts quarter has been approved for Melbourne to preserve and showcase the city’s Jewish culture.
The developer of the scheme is the Jewish Museum of Australia. Although the project is yet to gain planning approval, it is supported in principle by the Victorian government and the Glen Eira council in the Elsternwick neighbourhood of southeast Melbourne.
An eight-storey building, designed by local practice McIldowie Partners, will contain the Jewish Museum of Australia and the Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre, as well as exhibition and education spaces, a 300-seat auditorium, co-working areas and a plaza.
The Jewish Arts Quarter already houses the Sholem Aleichem College, the Jewish Holocaust Centre and Classic Cinemas.
Renata Singer, Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre’s president, said: “As the home of Yiddish culture in Melbourne for more than a century, we are eager to enter a new chapter, seeing our current centre make way for a dynamic new locale, welcoming our community and beyond to be immersed in a wonderful place for art, music, theatre, performance, learning and exhibitions.”
Margaret Esakoff, Glen Eira’s mayor, said of the quarter: “It will provide a welcoming space for everyone to celebrate Jewish life, culture, food, arts and music. Having such a vibrant quarter is another way we can build vital community connections and bring people of all cultures together.”
Image courtesy of Mclldowie Partners/Elsternwick
