Bournemouth museum criticised for delaying Jewish heritage exhibition
Opponents said the decision the Russell-Coates Museum made was "shameful"
A museum in Bournemouth has postponed an exhibition on Jewish Heritage.
The Russell-Coates Museum planned to hold an exhibition between November 25, 2025, and March 15, 2026, focusing on Jewish Life in Bournemouth from 1880-2020.
The exhibition is part of a project funded by the National Heritage Lottery fund and researched by the Jewish Communities in Bournemouth. it will allow the Jewish community in Bournemouth to record their history for future generations.
Campaign Against Antisemitism claims that the exhibition has been cancelled, this is not the case, and the museum is working with organisers to reschedule the event.
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Jewish heritage is being cancelled in Britain. This is utterly shameful. At a time when British Jews are facing unprecedented levels of antisemitism and families are hiding their identity for fear of abuse or even violence, British institutions should be standing firm in support of Jewish life, not silencing it. Instead, a museum has chosen to extinguish Jewish culture in the face of threats from an antisemitic mob.
“When British Jews cannot celebrate and share their history in peace, what does that say about Britain today? When British institutions cower to threats from a mob over the rights of law-abiding communities to share their stories and celebrate their positive contribution to British life, what has happened to British values? The council and museum must urgently explain themselves.”
A spokesperson for the Museum said: “The exhibition has not been cancelled.
“Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is an important heritage asset housing culturally significant art.
“In planning all exhibitions, we carefully assess any potential risks.
“We recognise this is a sensitive time and due to requirements related to this event, the museum has decided to postpone the exhibition and is working with the organisers to reschedule it for a later date.”
The spokesperson added:“In the last couple of weeks, we have seen incidences of hate crime in the area.
“We are proud of our diverse communities across our three towns, and we condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms.”