A Slice of Jewish Life

Like Lygon Street, Oakleigh, Chinatown and other cultural precincts, the Jewish Arts Quarter will be a place that fosters collaboration across communities while sharing the unique experiences and stories of Australian Jews with everyone.

Artist Impression – JAQ

Celebrating Jewish Life & Culture

The Jewish Arts Quarter will celebrate and share our unique Australian Jewish stories through inclusive experiences that: 

embrace the broader community
support the vibrant arts sector
contribute to the positive future of Elsternwick, Melbourne and our state.

A Catalyst for the Arts and Culture

JAQ promises to be a dynamic centre of activity and a unique addition to the broader Melbourne Arts and multicultural landscape.

Elsternwick

In One Voice Festival

Daniel Goldberg

A Cultural Destination

Street festivals and events will add a special evocative nature to JAQ. The ingredients of performers, arts, specialist food and activities all add to the dynamic experience of Jewish culture and community – creating a lasting cultural impact.

In One Voice Festival

Daniel Goldberg

Self Funding Business Model

JAQ will balance the commercial income with the need to provide ongoing support to local community organisations.

Wild Open Day

Jewish Museum of Australia Collection

An Inclusive Community

New public spaces and community facilities with extensive programming welcoming people of all ages and cultures to enjoy and participate in Jewish culture and life.

Wild Open Day

JMA Collection

Heritage at heart

Active programming and initiatives will bring tradition and heritage to life, celebrating Jewish identity and promoting Jewish culture by creating engaging opportunities for enriching Jewish life and learning.

At Home in Elsternwick

Located in the City's South, the Jewish Arts Quarter is surrounded by years of Australian Jewish history, even more stories and a diverse community of people.

Glen Huntly Road

The Masterplan for Elsternwick

JAQ is a key part of the Elsternwick revitalisation strategy and the prime focus of the Elsternwick Cultural Precinct (ECP). The ECP includes a range of organisations that will each play an important role within JAQ – welcoming local residents and visitors from diverse communities across Australia and the world to engage with Jewish arts and culture.

The City of Glen Eira is already making substantial investment in facilities, infrastructure and cultural assets to ensure Elsternwick becomes a dynamic hub of community activity, economic growth and cultural immersion.

JAQ will lead the transformation of the urban landscape to create an activated cultural precinct of state significance.
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW GLEN EIRA CITY COUNCIL'S PLANS

Artist Impression – JAQ

JAQ will be a real Quarter

Zone 1 JAQ7, 7 Selwyn Street, 6130sqm
JAQ7 sits between the Classic Cinema and the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. It will be the new home of the JMA, Kadimah, and dozens of other organisations. JAQ7 will house a performing arts theatre, function spaces, a library, as well as co-working spaces for non-profits and artists of all kinds.
Zone 2 Community Hub - JAQ10-16, second floor, 425sqm
At the corner of Sinclair and Selwyn Streets, the second floor of JAQ10-16 will be our Community Hub, offering a place of assembly and a proposed community wellness centre.
Zone 3 Food & Beverage - JAQ10-16, ground floor, 397sqm
The ground floor of JAQ10-16 will be home to a range of nourishing Jewish food experiences. From destination dining to casual al fresco spaces, local vendors will offer arange of traditional and modern Jewish flavours that will offer something for everyone.
Zone 4 Creative Studios - JAQ10-16, mezzanine, 148sqm
The mezzanine level of JAQ10-16 will offer studios and workspaces for musicians and artists from diverse creative backgrounds to develop their practice and share their work.

Zone 5 The Piazza - Selwyn Street, 3000sqm
Public space for festivals, activations and more. Glen Eira City Council has committed substantial funds to pedestrianise Selwyn Street and transform it into a dynamic centre of public life.
Zone 5 The Piazza - Selwyn Street, 3000sqm
Public space for festivals, activations and more. Glen Eira City Council has committed substantial funds to pedestrianise Selwyn Street and transform it into a dynamic centre of public life.

Group Tours

A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

So many important Jewish institutions being co-located in this wonderful precinct is a once in a generation opportunity to create something truly remarkable.

Artist Impression – JAQ7 Theatre

Expand, Nurture and Collaborate

JAQ will be a hub of community organisations with over 1000 square metres of office space, boardrooms, and event spaces for community use.

Family Activities

Engaging Our Culture across generations

Whether it's comedy nights, food truck festivals, cooking programs or bridge club, JAQ will have activities that all ages will come and enjoy.

The History of JAQ

1911

The Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library is established in Carlton, Melbourne by newly arrived Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. It moves to Elsternwick in the 1960s.

1995

The Jewish Museum of Australia: Gandel Centre of Judaica purchases a building opposite Melbourne’s most beautiful synagogue, the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation.

2016

An agreement between Sholem Aleichem College and youth group Habonim Dror (both in Sinclair Street Elsternwick) results in better use of community assets. Further dialogue with Kadimah and The Jewish Museum of Australia leads to in depth discussions about a potential Jewish Culture and Arts Precinct.

2018

JAQ is endorsed by Glen Eira City Council as a key part of their dynamic revitalisation strategy for the suburb- the Elsternwick Structure Plan February 2018 - 2031.

2019

Victorian Government provides generous seed funding for $1,000,000 and a Multicultural Infrastructure Funding Grant for $500,000.

2020

Glen Eira City Council issues a Notice of Decision to Grant a Planning Permit as JAQ is consistent with the Council’s Strategic Plan.

2020

Multicultural Infrastructure Conditional funding offers $3,500,000.00 through the 2020/21 State Budget.

2021

The former Minister for Planning referred JAQ's potential to boost the Victorian economy to the Priority Projects SAC, who suggested issuing a permit. The Minister approved the recommendation, and on 15 August 2021, advised the Governor in Council to grant the permit, marking a significant step for the state's economic growth.

2021

The Gandel Foundation, long term philanthropic supporter and visionary of this project, injects seed funding to unlock JAQ’s potential.

2021

The Jewish Arts Quarter Limited is entered on the Register of Cultural Organisations following approval by the Hon Paul Fletcher MP. The organisation’s public fund, Jewish Arts Quarter Gift Fund, becomes eligible to receive tax deductible donations.

2022

JAQ was launched to the public at the In One Voice Festival in Elsternwick in 2022. The launch included a new website and an engaging social media presence as we introduced ourselves to the community.

2022

The JAQ team meets with over 50 community organisations and conducts a community wide survey with over 500 respondents.

2022

JAQ welcomed the news of a generous $2 million pre-election commitment from the Victorian Labor Government.

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Cultural Centre

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Development

FAQs

A Slice of Jewish Life

Like Lygon Street, Oakleigh, Chinatown and other cultural precincts, the Jewish Arts Quarter will be a place that fosters collaboration across communities while sharing the unique experiences and stories of Australian Jews with everyone.

Celebrating Jewish Life & Culture

The Jewish Arts Quarter will celebrate and share our unique Australian Jewish stories through inclusive experiences that:

embrace the broader community

support the vibrant arts sector

contribute to the positive future of Elsternwick, Melbourne and our state.

A Catalyst for the Arts and Culture

JAQ promises to be a dynamic centre of activity and a unique addition to the broader Melbourne Arts and multicultural landscape.

A Cultural Destination

Self Funding Business Model

An Inclusive Community

Heritage at heart

At Home in Elsternwick

Located in the City's South, the Jewish Arts Quarter is surrounded by years of Australian Jewish history, even more stories and a diverse community of people.

The Masterplan for Elsternwick

JAQ will be a real Quarter

Zone 2 Community Hub - JAQ10-16, second floor, 425sqm At the corner of Sinclair and Selwyn Streets, the second floor of JAQ10-16 will be our Community Hub, offering a place of assembly and a proposed community wellness centre.

Zone 5 The Piazza - Selwyn Street, 3000sqm Public space for festivals, activations and more. Glen Eira City Council has committed substantial funds to pedestrianise Selwyn Street and transform it into a dynamic centre of public life.

A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

Expand, Nurture and Collaborate

Engaging Our Culture across generations

The History of JAQ

1911

1995

2016

2018

2019

2020

2020

2021

2021

2021

2022

2022

2022

Let’s Shmooze

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The Jewish Arts Quarter will celebrate and share our unique Australian Jewish stories through inclusive experiences that: 

Zone 2 Community Hub - JAQ10-16, second floor, 425sqm
At the corner of Sinclair and Selwyn Streets, the second floor of JAQ10-16 will be our Community Hub, offering a place of assembly and a proposed community wellness centre.

Zone 5 The Piazza - Selwyn Street, 3000sqm
Public space for festivals, activations and more. Glen Eira City Council has committed substantial funds to pedestrianise Selwyn Street and transform it into a dynamic centre of public life.