Manchester Jewish Museum launches a season of evening performances with Synagogue Nights

Running until Thu 8 Dec 2022, Manchester Jewish Museum’s showcase of Jewish music and art returns for its latest edition featuring a season of intimate performances in its historic former synagogue. From mellow jazz and uproarious comedy to ‘the greatest of classical hits’, Synagogue Nights 2022 celebrates diversity within the Jewish community with a packed programme inspired by the concept of ‘identity’.

Taking place in the jaw-droppingly beautiful Grade II-listed Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, the season commenced with a stunning rescheduled performance by the Noga Ritter Trio, who brought their fusion of Hebrew Jazz and global groove sounds to Manchester for the first time in ‘an electric and soulful musical experience’.

Earlier this month, Anna Clover’s one-woman comedy show Going Deutsch featured hilarious, poignant riffs on bereavement, break-ups, Brexit and how the past shapes the future in a show about identity, acceptance and anthropomorphised countries.

Next up, on Sun 27 Nov, Emma Smith, widely considered one of the best voices of the UK jazz scene, performs songs from her album Meshuga Baby in a beautiful recognition of her Yiddish heritage. Her show follows performances at the O2 Arena, New York City and beyond alongside Michael Buble, Robbie Williams and others.

On Thu 1 Dec, one-woman comedy returns to the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue with Pickle, a ‘darkly comic’ show about Ari, who struggles to navigate the transience of young adulthood whilst living at home with her parents in North West London. A meditation on reconciling belief and tradition with change, Pickle promises ‘music, humour and plenty of smoked salmon’.

Closing the season on Thu 8 Dec, The University of Manchester’s world-renowned string quartet-in-residence Quator Danel bring their ‘lively repertoire’ to the synagogue with a stunning performance written in memory of lost sisters.

For more information and to book tickets, head to the Manchester Jewish Museum website.