Volunteer Training
Training at Ightham Mote
'Jewish Country Houses' training for staff and volunteers in the UK has been led by Marcus Roberts, the founder and director of ‘JTrails’, the National UK Jewish Heritage Trail and project, a qualified Jewish heritage professional in the UK who has worked in a close partnership with the project. Over the course of the project, Marcus has created and delivered bespoke training sessions at National Trust properties such as Waddesdon Manor, Croft Castle, Nymans, Upton House, and Ightham House, and other heritage sites including Gunnersbury Park and Museum, Bletchley Park and Strawberry Hill House, as well as in partnership with the Holocaust Education Trust.
All sessions are carefully evaluated. Feedback suggests the training succeeds in giving attendees fresh perspectives and information that allows them to contextualise their property differently and crucially, gives greater confidence in being able to talk about Jews and the Jewish heritage of their property with insight and sensitivity, as well as being better equipped to deal with more difficult issues, for example, if a visitor expresses prejudices. The training has also encouraged participants to do additional research of their own.
The data suggests that it is a beneficial process and there is more to learn – from the basics of Jewish religious observance, to politics, Zionism, as well as using accurate and appropriate language. There is an appetite for learning more about different elements of Jewish politics and culture going beyond individual family history; some wanted to know more about keeping Kosher and dietary laws, whilst others wanted to know more about Jewish festivals or Palestine, Zionism and the Balfour Declaration. The sessions were particularly successful in addressing some of the wider issues about Jewish identity (a key interest), the struggle for political rights and social philanthropy. Detailed analysis of the training sessions can be found in the 2024 project evaluation report.
The project team has gathered feedback from participants to help evaluate the impact of the training: detailed analysis of the training sessions can be found in the 2024 project evaluation report.
Some examples of feedback from our training sessions in heritage properties:
"I am more confident in my understanding of Jewish history in Britain".
"It has given me a better understanding so I can share that knowledge with visitors".
"[it has] reinforced my confidence in highlighting their philanthropy, curatorship and the function of the house as a catylst for integration into wider aristocratic society."
"I can more easily put it in context and understand social issues and prejudice laws".
"It has provided me with a much wider background than I previously had and hopefully will give me confidence to talk to visitors."
"(Marcus Roberts's) talk was particularly helpful in giving our volunteers the confidence to talk about the Messel family’s Jewish background"
