Every Jewish family carries stories worth preserving.

They may be stories of journeys made across the world to begin a new life in New Zealand. Of the challenges our parents and grandparents faced, the traditions they carried with them, the communities they helped establish, and the businesses, professions and organisations they built.

They are also the smaller stories. The family anecdotes. The photographs tucked away in drawers. The memories that make us laugh. The things somebody once told us about a grandparent or great-grandparent that we always assumed we’d remember.

The trouble is, memories are fragile.

Once the people who carry them are gone, their stories survive only if someone has taken the time to record them.

A story that belongs to all of New Zealand

That is why Jewish Lives exists.

Jewish Lives is a nationwide endeavour to research, record and share the stories of Jewish New Zealanders, past and present.

These stories come from every corner of the country and from generations of people who built families and communities, established businesses, contributed to the arts, sciences and professions, served their country and helped shape New Zealand life.

Together, they create a remarkable record of the Jewish experience in Aotearoa New Zealand.

And that record is still being written.

Jewish Lives isn’t only about looking back. A new generation of young Jewish New Zealanders is making its mark here and around the world, in the arts, academia, business, sport, community life and many other fields.

Their stories are part of our history too. We want Jewish Lives to be there to capture and share their achievements as they unfold, creating a living record that continues to grow with our community.

Much has already been achieved

Jewish Lives has digitised the Auckland Hebrew Congregation archives, helping preserve important historical material and making it accessible to a much wider audience.
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We have created the Jewish Heritage Walk and self-guided app, allowing people to discover Auckland’s Jewish history through the places where it happened.

And we have built an online collection where families, researchers, students and the wider public can discover the people and stories that form part of New Zealand’s Jewish history.

But preserving history isn’t a one-off project.

Websites need to be maintained. Digital archives need to remain accessible. Existing material needs to be protected, while new stories need to be researched, recorded and added.

Without reliable ongoing funding, that work is at risk.

Becoming a Story Keeper

Jewish Lives needs between $36,000 and $50,000 each year to continue its work.

Our goal is to find 200 individuals and families who will become Jewish Lives Story Keepers, each contributing $19 a month.

With 200 Story Keepers behind us, we can maintain the collection that already exists, continue seeking out and recording stories from around New Zealand, and ensure Jewish Lives remains a growing resource for future generations.

For around the cost of a digital TV streaming subscription each month, you can help preserve generations of stories.

KEEP OUR STORIES ALIVE FOR $19 A MONTH

We know a regular commitment won’t be possible for everyone. One-off donations of any amount are equally welcome and will make a genuine difference.

You can also contribute in another valuable way. If you have time, knowledge, research skills or expertise that could help Jewish Lives, we’d love to hear from you about volunteering.

At a time when understanding matters so deeply, the stories of Jewish New Zealanders deserve to be known, shared and remembered.

The stories of those who came before us. The stories being made today. And the stories that haven’t yet been told.

Please help us make sure they are.