New Heritage Lottery Fund chairman Jenny Abramsky visited a building site at the Jewish Museum in Camden last Thursday to see how it is spending a £4.2 million HLF grant.

The cash is helping to fund a £9 million extension to the musuem, currently split between premises in Camden and Finchley, although the Camden site is closed because of the redevelopment. The plan is to merge the collections on the enlarged Camden site, which will have the space for temporary exhibits.

Ms Abramsky explained that the grant was awarded to allow “people of all faiths” to explore Judaism. “We think it is a very important project because it is the only Jewish museum in London. It plays a role in the community.”

It was the former BBC audio and music director’s first visit to the museum and she hoped it would thrive so that future generations of her family would enjoy it. “I value my Jewish heritage very greatly,” she said.

She was accompanied by Wesley Kerr, chair of the HLF London committee, who observed that “London can be very proud of its Jewish community.

“Despite difficulties and persecution they’ve always made huge contributions.”

The Camden museum is expected to reopen next autumn.