Four permanent galleries will house a huge variety of objects, films, photography, hands-on exhibits and personal stories to paint a rich picture of British Jewish life and religion as well as exploring contemporary social issues around immigration and settlement.

“What it means to be British and the issue of cultural identity has never been more hotly debated,” said Rickie Burman, Director of the Jewish Museum. “At the new Jewish Museum we explore these issues in the context of one of Britain’s oldest immigrant communities."

Burman is promising new galleries that will display the impressive collection in innovative and compelling ways and that will engage with people of all backgrounds and faiths to explore Jewish heritage and identity as part of the wider story of Britain.

The four thematic galleries comprise a Welcome Gallery, which will introduce visitors to a diverse range of Jewish people and the roles they have played in British society and a History gallery which will explore how and why Jewish people have come to the UK from around the world.

A gallery called Judaism: A Living Faith, will explore festivals and Jewish lifecycle events such as a wedding and bar mitzvah and showcase rare ceremonial objects including silver Torah scrolls made by George III’s silversmith.

The Holocaust gallery will explore the impact of Nazism through the experiences and poignant personal items of London-born Auschwitz survivor Leon Greenman OBE and other survivors who have made their home in Britain.

“We hope our ground-breaking new displays will inspire people to take a stand against racism and build interfaith understanding and connections,” added Burman.

The new museum, which has received a £4.2m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, will triple the space at its Camden Town site, combining its premises in Albert Street with an adjacent former piano factory. New features will also include a Changing Exhibitions Gallery, a 100-seat auditorium, an Education Space and a café and shop.