150-year-old JC found in time capsule at Jewish museum synagogue

Staff at the Manchester Jewish Museum have unearthed a 150-year-old copy of The JC in a time capsule buried inside a synagogue’s walls.

The capsule, hidden deep in a wall cavern in the museum’s grade II listed synagogue, was found by builders during a recent £6m redevelopment.

The historic edition of the JC was an issue from 6th June 1873, the Friday before the burial of the capsule.

On the front page were notices of births, marriages and deaths, and one read: “Aged Needy Election. Mr Hyman A. Abrahams will thankfully receive proxies on behalf of Joseph Simmons, aged 81, a most deserving old man, who is quite incapable of making a personal canvas and now applies for the seventh time.”

MJM Time Capsule March 202398297

The Jewish Chronicle issue from 6.6.1873 found in the time capsule (Photo: Chris Payne)

Another highlighted the “Jews’ Orphan Asylum” – now known as Norwood and read: “The House Committee of this institution Hereby Give Notice that they are willing to receive TENDERS on or before the 9th June, for the supply of BREAD, FLOUR, and MEAT, for Six Months from the 15th June, 1873.”

The time capsule was also filled with old coins and synagogue documents as well as historic newspapers including The Guardian and Jewish World which later merged with the JC.

Time cap

The open time capsule, filled with newspapers, coins and documents, dating back to 1873. (Chris Payne, 2023)

Despite its old age, museum bosses say most of the documents were in a surprisingly good condition and required little restoration.

Early synagogue minutes show records of the capsule being laid behind the cornerstone of the original building on 11th June 1873 - Manchester’s first Sephardi synagogue.

The museum’s curator Alexandra Cropper said: "It was so thrilling opening the capsule and discovering what our synagogue founders decided to bury 150 years ago.

"The next year is going to be so exciting as we delve further into the synagogue’s historic minute books. I look forward to unearthing more of the story of this remarkable building to share with our audiences."

Manchester Jewish Museum

The discovery of the time capsule in 2020 (Photo: Manchester Jewish Museum)

Eugenie Karen, conservation officer at Manchester Central Library, added: "Opening the time capsule was a rare treat, a whiff of Indiana Jones to liven up the daily routine.

"The paper objects were in remarkably good condition given their age and where they had been stored. “I only had to undertake light repairs to strengthen and consolidate the manuscript where mould had weakened some areas. Properly stored, it will survive for years to come."

Topics:

Jewish history