The Manchester Jewish Museum has launched an appeal to offset a £5,000 a month budget shortfall that could lead to it closing in 2011.
The museum, housed in a Grade II* listed former Portuguese and Spanish synagogue, has suffered a fall in income from schools groups, as well as a drop in overall attendance.
Jeremy Michelson, the museum’s education officer, said it would face closure in about 18 months if funds were not found. Two of the museum’s seven staff, a part-time marketing officer and administrator Don Rainger, an employee for 24 years, have been made redundant.
The museum receives only £35,000 a year from Manchester City Council and has begun an appeal, asking for 1,000 people to donate £5 each a month.
“Unfortunately, we are not in a position where we can trade our way out of difficulties,” said Michelson.
The museum won three education awards in 2009 and advises public services employees, including the police, on Judaism. It previously relied on income from 500 school groups a year, but this has fallen to 350.
