London, England Installation of Rare Mikveh Bath at Jewish Museum - Photo call

From: Dina Wosner

Photo Call

Installation of a rare archaeological discovery, a medieval mikveh (Jewish ritual bath), before it goes on public display for the
first time at the new Jewish Museum

Date: Wednesday 24 February 2010
Time: 1000hrs – 1100hrs

Place: Jewish Museum, 129 – 131 Albert Street, London, NW1 7NB

RSVP: Anna Cusden – anna.cusden@kallaway.com <mailto:anna.cusden@kallaway.co.uk/020> 020 7221 7883 /07967 836279

A rare example of a medieval mikveh dating from c.1270 which was discovered in 2001 in the City of London, is in the process of
being installed at the newly transformed Jewish Museum in Camden Town. The mikveh, which plays a key role in Jewish spiritual
cleansing rituals for example at the end of a woman's monthly cycle and before the marriage ceremony, will be one of the most
important exhibits at the new Jewish Museum. The museum has undergone a £10m transformation over the past two years and will reopen
to the public on 17 March 2010.

You will be able to see archaeologists in the early stages of the installation process which is taking place over the next two
weeks.

The presence of the mikveh in the new museum will be a tangible reminder of the long history of the Jewish community in Britain, one
of the country's oldest immigrant groups. It will be displayed on the free entry ground floor of the extended museum and will be an
important starting point for telling the story of Jews in Britain since 1066.

The mikveh was discovered by a team of archaeologists excavating a site in Milk Street in the City of London in 2001. Preserved in
near perfect condition, the mikveh is a fine example of workmanship in Reigate stone. The house beneath which it was found was lived
in by a Jewish family called the Crespins, until the 1290 Expulsion of Jews from Britain.

NB: Photographers will only have access to the ground floor of the museum and this photo call is only for the mikveh bath
installation. The official press launch of the Jewish Museum is on Tuesday 16 March from 09.30hrs – 12.00hrs.

For further press information about the Jewish Museum and for images, please go to:

http://kallaway.co.uk/jewish-museum.htm