The Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre (SJHC) is based in Garnethill Synagogue, the first purpose- built synagogue in Scotland and a beautiful Category A listed building in the heart of Glasgow. This funding will help the Centre continue its invaluable work, with school visits and events offering tailored educational experiences that foster a deeper understanding of Scotland’s Jewish heritage and the Holocaust era. The grant will also support the development of new resources and ensure that school visits remain affordable and accessible for all.

The SJHC offers pupils a tailored experience to support learning on Judaism, immigration and the Holocaust era. It is hoped that by visiting pupils will have a better understanding of  Scotland’s Jewish heritage and its place in wider Scottish history and culture. Their displays show the development and contribution of the Jewish community to Scotland over the past 200 years, and the Scottish Holocaust-era Study Centre provides an opportunity to explore this critical time period in more depth.

The grant has already supported their Holocaust Memorial Day event, which was delivered in January 2025. This special event saw thirty-seven pupils plus teachers from five secondary schools from East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Edinburgh and South Lanarkshire attend. After a tour of the Synagogue and displays in the Heritage Centre the pupils explored learning kits and archival material and researched the ‘hostel boys’ who stayed next door to the Synagogue during WWII. Harvey Kaplan and Deborah Haase from the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre were also on hand to show pupils some original material from the collection, including Kindertransport travel documents, ID cards, passports and photographs.

Following a lunch of kosher food, the day culminated in a moving session with second-generation speakers, who shared personal stories of their relatives’ experiences. Feedback from the event indicated it was impactful, with pupils expressing that they had vastly increased awareness of the experiences of Holocaust survivors. Teachers indicated that they would also use the knowledge gained to enhance their curriculum in the classroom.

This grant reflects The Merchants House’s commitment to supporting diversity, inclusion, and embracing all communities in Glasgow. By funding initiatives that educate and connect people from all backgrounds, we hope to ensure a more inclusive and informed future. would you like to help us with this mission? Why not join as a member?