The only city centre synagogue in Manchester has been digitally preserved.

Manchester Metropolitan University researchers have been working with Archives+ to make a digital record of the Manchester Reform Synagogue (Jackson’s Row), collating memories, images and films to create a virtual reality experience.

Both the real and virtual buildings are available for public viewing at the launch event today (Wednesday).

Jackson’s Row was chosen for the project because of its cultural significance to the city. It was the first new building completed after the end of the Second World War (the previous synagogue was damaged in the Manchester Blitz of 1941).  

The shul's Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen said that for congregants, “this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience our synagogue in a unique way.

“As we begin to transition from our building for our redevelopment project, this is a remarkable way for us to learn about the history of our community and celebrate our potential going forward.”

Dr Richard Brook, reader in architecture at Manchester School of Architecture and lead on the project, said the building was of "historic and cultural significance. The synagogue is very much of the 1950s, quite sparing in its detail and modest in materials as was the norm in a period of recovery from conflict.

“This project is a new way of thinking about how we record our cities for future generations to access and experience.”