(JTA) — Construction workers at the site of a former Spanish and Portuguese synagogue in Manchester, England, found a time capsule from the 1870s.
The glass jar was extracted recently from a wall of what is now the Manchester Jewish Museum, The Guardian reported Thursday.
It contains newspapers, synagogue documents and a handful of coins and will go on display as part of the museum’s permanent collection chronicling the lives of Manchester Jews through the ages.
The building was erected in 1874 and is now closed for a major renovation project, according to the Jewish Chronicle of London. It’s also the oldest surviving shul building in Manchester.
The museum is expected to reopen next spring thanks to a subsidy of about $3 million from the U.K. national lottery.
Its chief executive, Max Dunbar, said the team was “thrilled and overwhelmed” by the discovery, the Chronicle article said.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
