WINTER 2022
AFGHANISTAN // GOODBYE TO 2,000 YEARS OF JEWISH LIFE
In our January issue we uncover the little-known history and culture of Jewish Afghanistan. Explore the world of the ancient Silk Road, learn about the future of the country's beautiful heritage sites and hear about the dramatic Israeli rescue operations that brought dozens of Afghans to safety after the Taliban takeover last year. We also feature a special essay by American novelist Shalom Auslander on the curse of hirsute evangelicals, speak to the granddaughter of Ewen Montagu, the wartime mastermind behind Operation Mincemeat and hear about how a horse dealer came to become a collector of some of the world's greatest artworks. Plus: George Szirtes on Olga Tokarczuk; Ruth Padel's Cretian tale, Viviane Bowell's memories of pre-Suez Cairo as well as our unique three-months listing guide to theatre, film, art and more.
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A POETIC ODYSSEY: FROM AN AFGHAN POPPY FIELD TO THE CALAIS ‘JUNGLE’
The Afghan journalist and poet Suhrab Sirat arrived in the UK after a journey that only ended after crossing the English Channel in the back of a refrigerated container. Aviva Dautch speaks to the writer about the poetry that emerged from this experience and his fears and hopes for those left behind in his home country.
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BROWSE THE FULL CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE BELOW
YOUR SAY…
Readers’ rants, raves and views on the autumn issue of JR.
WHAT’S NEW
Dreyfus returns to haunt the French election race; Harwich marks its Kindertransport history; how the end of the Tests Act opened up universities to British Jews.
FEATURE
The beards of our affliction: beware the hirsute evangelists, says novelist Shalom Auslander.
FEATURE
Twenty arts activists who are set to take the future by storm.
PASSPORT
Afghanistan: Explore the history of this turbulent country; meet the Jewish Afghans in London; discover the synagogues of Herat; and hear about the dramatic rescue of 167 Afghans in a top-secret Israeli mission.
THEATRE
The Terezín opera Brundibár is re-imagined in a northern English village.
MUSIC
David Fligg uncovers the story behind the 1952 recording of Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde in Vienna.
ART
The glorious rag rugs of Manchester artist Lynne Stein.
FILM
Peter Watts on a new film about the astonishing piece of wartime espionage, Operation Mincemeat; Adam Lenson on West Side Story.
BOOKS
Tamar Yellin on being a Jew in Brönteland; George Szirtes on The Books of Jacob; Alexander Hamilton’s Jewish heritage; how a horse dealer came to collect some of Europe’s greatest art; Ruth Padel on Crete’s dark secrets.
THE YIDDISHISTS
Our series that explores the YIVO archive. This issue: Back to nature.
SEPHARDI RENAISSANCE
Michael Vatikiotis on his Ottoman family; the eastern charms of Bubala; Viviane Bowell’s life before Suez.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Our three-month guide to art, books, film, music, theatre and other cultural events in the UK, Europe and Israel.
FAMILY
Five fun ways to celebrate the festival of Purim.
MEET THE READER
Alf Borman in Henlys Corner, London.
