LONDON
ART
5 Old Bond Street
Hidden
David Breuer-Weil’s sculpture Hidden, created in 2019, uses red Vatican marble to reflect timelessness in contrast to the temporary nature of human flesh. The piece, presented as part of the annual Art in Mayfair Sculpture Trail, portrays a mysterious presence, hinting at Breuer-Weil’s interest in deep philosophical reflections on life.
No end date specified
W1S 4PD. www.davidbreuerweil.com
Annely Juda Fine Art
László Moholy-Nagy: A New World
Dedicated to the life and work of László Moholy-Nagy, this major exhibition spotlights the Jewish Hungarian artist’s mixed media work. A New World traces his life from his relocation to Berlin from Vienna, represented by a self- portrait from 1920, to teaching in Chicago, where he founded the New Bauhaus school in 1937. Expect bold colours and even bolder experimentation in collage, painting, photography and more.
Until 2 November
W1S 1AW. 020 7629 7578. www.annelyjudafineart.co.uk
Ben Uri
Lancelot Ribeiro: Heads In and Out of Our Time
The 1960s and 1990s were two of the most innovative decades for artist Lancelot Ribeiro Discover why with Ben Uri’s curation of his diverse paintings, sculptures and works on paper, focusing primarily on Ribeiro’s fascination with portraiture and the human head.
Until 29 November
NW8 0RH. 020 7604 3991. www.benuri.org.uk
Burgh House
About Women: Photographs by Dorothy Bohm
The intimate, candid photography of Dorothy Bohm recorded the changing lives of women across the globe for over seven decades. Through her images, the Jewish artist provides warm, wry and powerful depictions of womanhood.
Until 15 December
Marie-Louise von Motesiczky: (in)Visible Women
The vibrant expressionist paintings of Marie-Louise von Motesiczky gave meaning to the everyday lives of women. See how she depicts them as friends, lovers and carers, both in the workplace and at leisure, in ways that are poignant, witty and at times unsettling.
Until 15 December
NW3 1LT. 020 7431 0144. www.burghhouse.org.uk
Flowers Gallery, Kingsland Rd
As in That Moment
British Jewish artist Bernard Cohen’s paintings became increasingly wrought, unpredictable and intricate throughout his career. This exhibition celebrates his abstract pieces.
Until 30 November
E2 8DP. 020 7920 7777. www.flowersgallery.com
Freud Museum
Women & Freud: Patients, Pioneers, Artists
This is the first exhibition to celebrate the women who shaped the life of Sigmund Freud, inventor of psychoanalysis, as well as the artists he inspired. Taking place in the home where Freud spent the last year of his life, see previously unseen fabric works from Paula Rego’s studio along with other art, books, letters, diaries, photographs, sketchbooks and manuscripts. His home, where his daughter, pioneering child psychoanalyst Anna Freud also examined patients, will display his legacy.
Until 5 May
NW3 5SX. www.freud.org.uk
Isokon Gallery
Through a Bauhaus Lens: Edith Tudor-Hart and Isokon
See recently uncovered prints that document the historic construction and opening of Belsize Park’s Isokon Flats, Britain's first reinforced concrete residency. The images were taken by Viennese Bauhaus-trained photographer Edith Tudor-Hart, who moonlighted as a Soviet spy during her time in the UK. It’s thought that she operated as part of the Cambridge Five, as when the group was exposed, she destroyed much of her work. A cache of her negatives from the 1930s has been discovered in Salzburg, however, including the these Isokon photographs.
Until 26 October 2025
NW3 2XD. www.isokongallery.co.uk
JW3
London Jewish Mural
Get celeb-spotting with JW3’s glorious new mural that celebrates London’s Jewish past and present. A giant technicolour mural that celebrates real and fictional Jewish personalities and events in London has been unveiled on JW3’s nine-storey building. The mural, which measures 26.5 metres x 14.2 metres, was commissioned by JW3 and designed by artist Leon Fenster and includes some of London’s liveliest stories. The mural features more than 150 historical figures and events, including Queen Elizabeth I, as she watches the trial of her Jewish doctor, Rodrigo Lopez (who was executed for being found guilty of plotting to poison her), former British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli and the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. The image also features seven rabbis, three agony aunts, a clutch of boxing legends and copies of paintings by Marc Chagall.
Until 24 January
NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Mosaic Synagogue
Lana Young Textile Arts
See work by the British textile artist and teacher of Judaic design in embroidery. Viewing by appointment only.
1 December – 3 January
HA7 3DY. 020 8864 0133. www.choosemosaic.org
Museum of the Home
Rooms Through Time: Real Rooms
Museum of the Home, east London’s ode to how humans have lived throughout the centuries, has renovated its long-running exhibit with seven new additions that reflect the multicultural melting pot of London’s residents. Among them, is the Delinsky family home – a 1913 tenement room portraying Shabbat dinner, with simmering lokshen soup on the stove and an oil painting on the wall. The painting was based on a well-worn photo that the donor’s great-grandmother used to carry with her, commissioned by her husband. He was an art dealer, who filled their home with portraits. The pair met in the UK after the great-grandmother fled antisemitic violence in Eastern Europe.
From 17 July
E2 8EA. 020 7739 9893. www.museumofthehome.org.uk
Strawberry Hill House
Hélène Binet: Discovering Jewish Country Houses
Discover the extraordinary houses owned, built or renovated by Jews in a collection of images by Swiss-French architectural photographer Hélène Binet. Hosted in association with B’nai B’rith UK.
Until 8 January
TW1 4ST. 020 8744 1241. www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk
Tate Modern
Solid Light
Anthony McCall’s immersive works bring its audience’s movements and interactions to life using beams of light that are projected through a thin mist. The result is new shapes and mesmerising perspectives. McCall has redefined the possibilities of sculpture with his groundbreaking work over the years, much of which is presented in this exhibition.
Until 27 April
SE1 9TG. www.tate.org.uk
Tate St Ives
Artist Rooms: Sol LeWitt
Influential in establishing the notion of ‘conceptual art’ in the 1960s, Jewish American artist Solomon ‘Sol’ LeWitt produced highly colourful, sprawling wall pieces. For example, Wall Drawing #1136 (2004) weaves together seven vibrant colours to create an enveloping chromatic environment.
No end date specified
TR26 1TG. www.tate.org.uk
The Visionary Brit Museum
Bluebirds: A Symbol of Hope
See Degard’s Bluebirds: A Symbol of Hope, inspired by Judy Garlands Somewhere Over the Rainbow. There will also be live art classes led by Degard either outside or at the Gaia Café across the street (6 Oct).
Until December
Phone box outside the British Museum, WC1B 3DG. www.visionarybritmuseum.co.uk
Wiener Holocaust Library
Fred Kormis: Lost Works
Sculptor Fred Kormis was exiled from Germany during World War I and the rise of the Nazis, forcing him to leave many of his works behind, many of which were later destroyed or damaged. However, Kormis also made and commissioned photographs of many of his pieces, which are on display in this Reading Room exhibition.
Until 31 December
Fred Kormis: Sculpting the 20th Century
While there has been significant growth in Holocaust memorial and education since the 1980s, the mental state of those caught up in the atrocities is often overlooked. Jewish émigré sculptor Fred Kormis has tried to address this in his memorial Prisoners of War and Victims of Concentration Camps 1914-1945, which takes viewers on a symbolic journey through the imagined mindset of victims of the Holocaust. Academic Dr Steven Cooke examines how the sculpture helps us to understand the complex and ongoing history of Holocaust memorialisation in the UK, and references London’s forthcoming Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.
Until 6 February
WC1B 5DP. 020 7636 7247. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
Wednesday 13 November
The Last Transport: The Holocaust in the Eastern Aegean
Professor Anthony McElligott introduces his new book, which details the deportation of 1,755 Jews from Greek islands in 1944. As often acknowledged in Holocaust studies, this final deportation signifies when Nazi Germany had lost the war and raises questions about long-term Nazi ideology and the immediate aftermath. Historian Sir Richard J Evans chairs the event, which includes a panel discussion with historian, filmmaker and photographer Dr Bea Lewkowicz and Modern Greek History lecturer Dr Paris Chronakis (University of London), as well as a musical performance by Francesca Ter-berg. For in-person attendees, the event will be followed by a reception of light refreshments.
6.30pm. FREE. ONLINE & Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Tuesday 26 November
Jewish Lives: School, Family and Society
After spending ten years observing Jewish students and their families, Dr Helena Miller and Dr Alex Pomson created their new book. Jewish Lives: School, Family and Society follows children in both Jewish and secular schools through a global pandemic, rising antisemitism and a mental health crisis. The two will discuss how the next generation can build meaningful Jewish futures with Joanne Greenaway.
8pm. FREE. ONLINE & London School of Jewish Studies, NW4 2SJ. www.lsjs.ac.uk
Wednesday 4 December
Do Not Forget Me
As elsewhere in Europe during the Holocaust, Jews in Greece faced persecution from the Nazis, which historian Leon Saltiel details in his book, Do Not Forget Me: Three Jewish Mothers Write to their Sons from the Thessaloniki Ghetto. These personal accounts offer a unique perspective of the Holocaust mid-war. Saltiel also examines the impact of the atrocities on Thessaloniki once vibrant Jewish community that had strong Sephardi heritage. He’ll be joined in conversation by journalist and writer Maria Margaronis.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
BOOKS & POETRY
Sunday 1 December
Hanukkah Funukah
The family extravaganza returns with activities including Hanukkah cookie decorating; a Maccabeat dance party; interactive storytelling; a special musical candle lighting; face-painting; arts and crafts; and, of course, doughnuts.
3pm. £5, £9 children, under 2s free. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 8 December – Sunday 8 January
Goldie Frocks and the Bear Mitzvah
After the success of Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Pig, the team behind London’s first ever Jewish pantomime return with another rip-roarer. This year we meet East Ender Goldie Frocks, a talented fashion designer, and the fuzzy Behr family, who are preparing for the best bear mitzvah Picalilli Circus has ever seen. Let’s hope nothing foils their preparations, such as evil designer Calvin Brine, who wants to take London’s fashion world by storm and has ideas of kidnap on the brain.
Times vary. From £26 adults, from £16 children. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 26 December
Islington Menorah Lighting
Bring in Hanukkah with the local community and enjoy klezmer music, storytelling, speeches, arts and crafts and face painting. Plus, the obligatory feast of doughnuts, latkes and hot chocolate.
From 4pm. FREE. Islington Green, N1 8DU. www.jewishislington.co.uk
FAMILY
Thursday 7 - Sunday 17 November
UK Jewish Film Festival
The annual festival of Jewish film returns, showcasing UK, European and world premieres of new features, documentaries and shorts. UKJFF takes place in London first, then tours the UK, with a selection of films streaming online (20-27 Nov). This year, the festival opens with Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain (7 Nov). The dramedy follows mismatched cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin), who journey through Poland to honour their beloved grandmother and explore their Jewish heritage, but the adventure takes a turn as tensions arise. Other highlights include Golda’s War Diaries (14 Nov), which looks at the leadership of Golda Meir, and her role in the Yom Kippur War; and best-film nominee A Good Jewish Boy (16 Nov), a portrayal of one of the last Jewish families living in working-class suburb of Paris. Read more about UKJFF in the Autumn 2024 issue of JR.
Times, prices and venues vary. https://ukjewishfilm.org
Monday 18 November
Dance in the Movies: Volume Two
Enjoy some of the rarely shown dance routines performed by Anne Miller, Shirley Temple, Gene Kelly, Rita Hayworth and Donald O’Connor with George McGhee, who has had an extensive career in the media for over 35 years. He will also pay special tribute to the iconic performer Jessie Matthews.
2pm. £15. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 21 November
Darkest Hour
A special screening of Joe Wright’s biographical war drama about Winston Churchill in the very rooms where the real-life events took place. Darkest Hour follows newly appointed Prime Minister Churchill (played by Gary Oldman) in the early days of World War II, as he plans to rally the nation together to fight for its survival against the looming threat of Nazi invasion. Imperial War Museum curator Kate Clements will introduce the film, followed by tour guide Jennifer Leatherby talking about the research that went into the film, and military advisor Merlin Hanbury-Tenison on his experience of coordinating some of the battle scenes. After the screening, attendees are invited to explore the historic Churchill War Rooms.
6.15pm. £40. Churchill War Rooms, SW1A 2AQ. www.iwm.org.uk
Sunday 1 December
A Forgotten Exodus
When the State of Israel was established in 1948, millions of Jews from around the world upped sticks to relocate. A Forgotten Exodus, by Dutch author and filmmaker Marcel Prins, tells the lesser-known story of those who emigrated from Arab countries and Iran. The documentary follows eight former refugees, who were forced to flee places such as Baghdad, Cairo and Sana’a by truck, boat or plane. Their stories are especially pertinent given the current climate. The screening will be followed by a discussion and Q&A
5pm. £20. Courthouse Hotel Cinema, W1F 7HL. www.harif.org
Thursday 5 December
Shadowlands
See Richard Attenborough’s 1993 biopic about CS Lewis. Shadowlands follows the renowned author, scholar and Christian theologian as he meets and marries Jewish American poet Joy Davidman. Followed by a Q&A session with star Claire Bloom and media expert George McGhee.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 15 January
Radio Propaganda
Israeli radio station Beit Shidir was a lifeline for Jews remaining in Arab countries after the establishment of the State of Israel. As well as being the only source of truthful news for Jews, it was also an active site for procuring intelligence and political warfare against Arab countries in later years. This documentary tells the story of Beit Shidir, which competing stations named The Israel Broadcasting Corporation’s Propaganda Orchestra.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
FILM AND TV
MUSIC
Until Wednesday 12 March 2025
The Classical Music Series
After a sell-out debut last year, The Classical Music Series returns for a second season showcasing some of the best artists from around the world. Highlights include pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen, who’ll be joined by string trio Anthony Marwood, Garfield Jackson and David Waterman to perform Dvořák (5 Nov); the Doric String Quartet performing Beethoven’s Op 132 (23 Jan); and soloists Irene Duval, Asbjørn Nørgaard, David Waterman and Connie Shih presenting Mozart, Fauré and Brahms (12 Mar).
7.30pm. £30. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 5 November
Anthony Marwood, Garfield Jackson, David Waterman, and Mishka Rushdie Momen
Four esteemed musicians, violinists Anthony Marwood and Garfield Jackson, cellist David Waterman and pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen perform pieces by Dvořák, Johannes Brahms and Gabriel Fauré.
7.30pm. £30 (£15 concs). JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 14 November
Jeremy Sassoon’s (Alternative) MOJO
The comedic musical show MOJO (Musicians of Jewish Origin) took JW3 by storm five years ago, has toured the UK and been performed worldwide on cruise ships ever since. Creator Jeremy Sassoon returns to the stage, this time in a less mainstream manner, looking at Jews that rock, jazzy Jews and the contribution of Jewish women in pop music. Joined by Harry Green on sax and guitar, Flo Moore on bass and Pat Illingworth on drums, Sassoon showcases his unique skill, which is both entertaining and educational.
7.30pm. £23. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 17 November
JMI Youth Big Band
Sam Eastmond leads a group of young musicians from diverse and varied backgrounds and traditions, with an inclusive approach to creative compositions and improvisation. The JMI Youth Big Band produces contemporary Jewish music and big band jazz, fusing influences from around the world.
12pm. FREE. Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. www.jmi.org.uk
Thursday 21 November
Avishai Cohen & Sophye Soliveau
Recorded one month after the start of the current Israel-Hamas war, trumpeter Avishai Cohen and his long-standing quartet present what they refer to as ‘music that speaks louder than words’. Opening proceedings is singer, harpist and choir conductor Sophye Soliveau, who specialises in Afro-American, classical, R&B, soul and gospel music. This concert takes place as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.
7.30pm. From £30. Union Chapel, N1 2UN. www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk
Thursday 19 December
Sabra Swing: Oy Hanukkah!
Get in the Hanukkah spirit with jazz band Sabra Swing, presenting festive hits famously written by Jews. The group will put their unique twist on both Hanukkah and Christmas songs.
7.30pm. From £18. Arts Depot, N12 0GA. www.sabraswing.com
TALKS
Wednesday 6 November
Churchill: A Life
Winston Churchill’s great-grandson Randolph joins author Richard Evans to discuss the new edition of Sir Martin Gilbert’s Churchill: A Life. Following the talk, participants are invited to explore the Churchill War Rooms, the once secret headquarters where the course of World War II was determined, as well as Churchill’s bedroom, where he made some of his most famous speeches. Chaired by biographer and former foreign correspondent Anne Sebba.
6pm. £20. Churchill War Rooms, SW1A 2AQ. www.iwm.org.uk
Wednesday 6 November
Litvak Days: A Temporary Stopover that Turned into a Home
Celebrate the impact of Jewish culture in Lithuania at this year’s Litvak Day, which focuses on the history of Lithuanian Jewish immigration to the United Kingdom. A large proportion of British Jews have Eastern European origins; those from Lithuania were often escaping persecution, whether it was fleeing the pogroms in the Russian Empire or the Holocaust. While some sought refuge in England, others stopped temporarily on their way to other destinations. This event includes a panel discussion between Lithuanian and British scholars, who look at the history of this migration. There will also be a concert of Litvak music by UK-based Lithuanian performers.
6pm. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 7 November
Death Café
Thoughts and feelings about life and death are discussed sensitively and with an added Jewish perspective. Led by Sally Berkovic, author of Death Duties: The Chevra Kadisha, participants are invited to approach one of life’s most challenging topics with an open mind and a personal connection.
2pm. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 7 November
Kristallnacht Commemoration
In memory of the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Zemel Choir will explore, through words and music, the historical context leading up to this tragic event. There will also be a short panel conversation on the significance of Kristallnacht today.
7.30pm. FREE. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 12 November
EXHIBITION TALK: Fred Kormis - Sculpting the 20th Century
Dr Barbara Warnock and Dr Helen Lewandowski, curators of the Fred Kormis exhibition at Wiener Holocaust Library (until 6 Feb), discuss the development of and themes within the exhibition. Also featuring a private view of the show.
6.30pm. FREE. Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Wednesday 13 November
On Dorothy Bohm: An Illustrated Lecture
Art historian Monica Bohm-Duchen gives an illustrated talk about the life and career of her photographer mother Dorothy Bohm. This talk is running alongside Burgh House’s current exhibition, About Women: Photographs by Dorothy Bohm, which is on show until 17 December.
7pm. £6. Burgh House, NW3 1LT. www.burghhouse.org.uk
Thursday 14 November
Lithuania to Cambridge
Samuel Devons was a nuclear physicist who studied with Ernest Rutherford and JJ Thomson at Cambridge University. He later became a fellow of the Royal Society and Chairman of Columbia University’s physics department. His brother Ely was a professor at the London School of Economics and their father, a Lithuanian rabbi, died in the 1920s, when Samuel was just 12. Sue Gil, Samuel’s daughter, discusses how the brothers achieved such academic success despite their bereavement at a time when there was no welfare state and reflects on their roots.
8pm. £18. Location provided upon booking. www.bnaibrithuk.org
Sunday 17 November
Tea with Jack
In 2004, the world lost unique wit and quintessentially British Jewish voice Jack Morris Rosenthal CBE. He was a BAFTA winning screenwriter and playwright, best known for his work on Coronation Street, The Evacuees, Barmitzvah Boy and The Knowledge. Hear tributes to his legacy from special guests, accompanied by tea and cake.
3.30pm. £18. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 17 November
Robert Rinder MBE in Conversation with Jeremy Brier KC
British Jewish criminal barrister and television personality Robert Rinder MBE will be joined by Jeremy Brier KC for an evening of discussion, a raffle and a fish and chip supper.
7pm. £35. London location provided upon booking. www.jewishcare.org
Tuesday 19 November
The Rothschild Family: 19th Century Bankers and Philanthropists
Writer Jonathan Bergwerk discusses what made the Rothschild family one of the richest and most influential Jewish families in the world.
8.15pm. £5 (B’nai B’rith members only). Location provided upon booking. www.bnaibrithuk.org
Wednesday 20 November
Saints and Liars: The Untold Stories of Americans who Saved Endangered People from the Nazis
Learn about the Americans who travelled the globe and risked their lives to aid victims of Nazi Germany in the fifth annual Alfred Wiener Holocaust Memorial lecture. Professor Debórah Dwork discusses how luck, timing and spontaneous, heroic decisions shaped their fates and encourages us to reframe the way we analyse the past.
6pm. FREE. ONLINE & Gresham College, EC1N 2HH. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Wednesday 20 November
The Jews of North Africa
Iranian Jews are the focus of this year’s memorial of the 10th anniversary of the Knesset law. Sisters Danielle and Galeet Dardashti recount the journey their Iranian Jewish musical family made from Iran to Israel and the USA. Also hear a first-hand account from a Jewish refugee about their experiences of expulsion following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
7.30pm. £10. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 21 November
From Dumb Blonde to Hollywood Mogul: Re-Examining Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn kicked off her career as a dancer before breaking into Hollywood on Laugh-In, where she was portrayed as a ditzy blonde. However, the Jewish American actor not only appeared in many hit films, but produced them too, and made her mark in the world of health and wellbeing. Dr Julie Lobalzo Wright (University of Warwick) looks at Hawn’s life and career to find out how she became such a mogul.
2pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 24 November
Tracing Family
Writer and historian Amanda Myers discusses the process and findings from tracing her family’s Jewish history.
3pm. £5. Location provided upon booking. www.bnaibrithuk.org
Tuesday 26 November
Jewish Lives: School, Family & Society
Dr Helena Miller and Dr Alex Pomson present their new book, Jewish Lives, to Joanne Greenaway. Jewish Lives, the first study of its kind, examines how young Jews and families make their decisions with regards to school, family, society and building meaningful Jewish futures. Having gathered their research studying students at Jewish and non-Jewish schools and their families for 13 years, Miller and Pomson document their rich findings through a global pandemic, rising antisemitism and a mental health crisis to discover how young people have quietly reconstructed their identity a young British Jews and what that means for the Jewish community.
8pm. FREE. ONLINE & London School of Jewish Studies, NW4 2SJ. www.lsjs.ac.uk
Thursday 28 November
A Secret Garden? Fred Kormis and the Memorial to Prisoners of War and Victims of Concentration Camps 1914-1945
While there has been significant growth in Holocaust memorial and education since the 1980s, the mental state of those suffering the atrocities is often overlooked. Jewish émigré sculptor Fred Kormis erected the memorial sculpture Prisoners of War and Victims of Concentration Camps 1914-1945, comprising five figures, taking viewers on a symbolic journey through the mindset of the victims in question. Academic Dr Steven Cooke examines how the memorial helps us to understand the long, complex and ongoing history of Holocaust memorialisation in the UK, and references London’s forthcoming Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.
6.30pm. FREE. Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 5 December
When the 19th Century Ended for Jews: The Elderly and the Holocaust
For Jews, the end of the 19th century involved death camps and Nazi attacks. Professor Dan Stone from the Holocaust Research Institute will look at the murder of the elderly during this period and postwar care for the few who survived.
6.30pm. FREE. ONLINE & The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Monday 9 December
Israel and the Middle East Update
Get an informed update on the latest developments of the ever-changing situation in Israel and the Middle East with Hagai Segal, a leading authority on geopolitical issues, strategic risk, the Middle East and counterterrorism.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 11 December
The Black Messiah: The Journeys of a 16th-Century Black Jew
Learn about David Reubeni, brother of a king who ruled over a Jewish kingdom in the Arabian desert and commander of a powerful Jewish army. Historian Jill Stern describes the little-known figure, who promised Jews that his army would liberate them from oppression and deliver them to the Holy Land.
11am. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 15 January
Aurelia Young: My Father, Sculptor Oscar Nemon
Oscar Nemon faced many hardships in his life. His daughter, Aurelia Young, will talk about his experiences, from his dramatic journey across Europe fleeing the Nazis in the 1930s to his rejection from his in-laws based on the grounds that he was a penniless Jew. Despite this, Nemon went on to become a sculptor, with sitters including Sigmund Freud, Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, Margaret Thatcher, Abba Eban, Professor Sir Ernst Chain and Princess Diana.
6.30pm. FREE. ONLINE & The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Wednesday 22 January
Dedication in Sculpture: The Story of Naomi Blake FRSS
Naomi Blake (nee Zisi Dum) turned to sculpture following her experiences enduring Auschwitz and losing several family members; her work developed into abstract and semi-figurative pieces and became a symbol of interfaith understanding. Blake’s daughter Anita introduces her mother’s sculpture that stands to keep the legacy of the six million Jews slaughtered in the Holocaust alive and promotes her vision for a more tolerant society.
6.30pm. FREE. ONLINE & The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
THEATRE
Until Friday 1 November
Kinder
This immersive play introduces puppet Babi, a Jewish Czech girl who embarks on a mighty adventure after escaping on a Kindertransport train during the Holocaust. Crossing between the past and present, Babi travels across Europe and discovers how tiny acts of kindness can change the course of a person’s life. Featuring intricate table-top puppetry and cinematic shadow play, Babi assembles parts of her broken identity to find peace in her future. Suitable for ages 8+.
Times vary. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
until Saturday 2 November
Gigi and Dar
Just days away from finishing their service in the army, Gigi and Dar get caught up in a roadblock. Dar dreamt she’d be shot today – will it happen? Gigi is harbouring a secret – will she reveal it? And there’s a strange vehicle heading towards them – what’s in store for the pair? Find out in this world premiere of the new play by Josh Azouz (The Mikvah Project), directed by Olivier Award-winner Kathryn Hunter. Read more about Gigi and Dar in the Autumn 2024 issue of JR.
7pm, 3pm (Sat only). From £12. Arcola Theatre, E8 3DL. www.arcolatheatre.com
Until Saturday 16 November
Giant
It’s the summer of 1983 and renowned children’s author Roald Dahl is set to release his latest book, The Witches. If only the public outrage over his recent antisemitic comments would disappear. Should he make a public apology or risk his name and reputation? An unexpectedly explosive confrontation at his family home may just force him to choose. Based on real-life events, this debut play from Mark Rosenblatt deals with the problematic issues of fame and rhetoric with dark humour. Starring Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow and Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey. Directed by Nicholas Hytner. Read more about Giant in the Summer 2024 issue of JR and join our trip to see it, followed by a talk with Rosenblatt, on 12 November
7.30pm (Mon-Fri), 1.30pm & 6pm (Sat only). From £15. Royal Court Theatre, SW1W 8AS. www.royalcourttheatre.com
until Saturday 23 November
Roots
Beatie Bryant returns to her rural home in Norfolk after spending time in London, fuelling a passion for political activism. As she faces the challenge of fitting back into her traditional family home with her newfound beliefs, Bryant prepares her parents to meet her activist boyfriend Ronnie, provoking further tensions. This new production of Arnold Wesker’s lyrical play follows a young woman’s journey of self-discovery and highlights the generational and ideological gap between the protagonist and her loved ones.
7.30pm, 2pm (Wed & Sat only). From £22.50. Almeida Theatre, N1 1TA. www.almeida.co.uk
until Saturday 23 November
What we Talk About When we Talk About Anne Frank
Two Jewish couples engage in an unintentional argument about identity, politics, parenthood and getting high. Set in present-day Florida, one secular and one Orthodox couple tussle over Gaza, Israel, the Holocaust, Nazis, marriage and sex in this dark comedy starring West Wing and Big Bang Theory actor Joshua Malina and directed by Leopoldstadt’s Patrick Marber. Read more about the show in the Autumn 2024 issue of JR and join our JR trip to see it, followed by a discussion with Malina, on 29 October.
7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £22.25. Marylebone Theatre, NW1 6XT. www.marylebonetheatre.com
until Saturday 21 December
DR STRANGELOVE
Rogue U.S. General and scientist Dr. Strangelove triggers a nuclear crisis in this darkly comic production. Starring Steve Coogan in the first ever stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s film, BAFTA and Emmy Award winner Armando Iannucci and Olivier Award winner Sean Foley present a satire of mutually guaranteed destruction. Read more about the production in the Summer 2024 issue of JR.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £20. Noel Coward Theatre, WC2N 4AU. www.noelcowardtheatre.com
Sunday 10 – Sunday 17 November
Tsitsit Jewish Fringe Festival
The fringe festival with a Jewish flavour returns. Tsitsit celebrates the many strands of contemporary Jewish culture and identity, with an annual series of theatre, music, comedy and poetry events. This year, highlights include children’s musical Meet at the Ark at Eight (10 Nov), music from Buenos Klezmer (10 Nov), Wolf Mankowitz’s short play It Should Happen to a Dog! (17 Nov) and Estee Stimler’s comedy Smother (17 Nov). Read more about Tsitsit in the Autumn 2022 issue of JR.
Time, prices and London venues vary. www.tsitsitfringe.org
Sunday 17 – Wednesday 28 November
The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski
Enter a giant brain and listen to the fragmented thoughts that reflect on Minnie Rubinski’s life, one that ranged from being a pianist to an investigative journalist. This theatrical tour ventures from childhood to the present-day using marionettes placed in perfectly detailed period sets. The creative director of the production, Rubinski’s daughter Kim Bergagel, retells the story of a woman who believed she could save the world with her medical knowledge.
Times vary. £10. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 20 November – Saturday 14 December
The Happiest Man on Earth
Eddie Jaku considers himself the Happiest Man on Earth at 100 years old after enduring seven years of horrors in the Holocaust. Jaku promised himself he’d smile every day in thanks for the precious gift of life, and this one-man play, adapted from his best-selling memoir, covers the power of gratitude, tolerance and kindness. Stage and film veteran Kenneth Tiger brings the story to life on stage, to remind the audience of how quickly lives can change and how important it is to stand up to hate.
8pm (Mon-Sat), 3.30pm (Tue & Sat only). £22 (£17.50 concs). Southwark Playhouse, SE1 6BD. www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Tuesday 26 November – Saturday 1 March
The Producers
London’s first revival of Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation of The Producers follows a con artist theatre maker and his accountant as they plan on defrauding the public in a get-rich-quick scheme. In looking for the worst script imaginable, they find one celebrating Hitler and the Nazis and decide to bring it to the stage. This dark comedic production is directed by the Tony Award-winning Patrick Marber.
7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 3pm (Sat & Sun only). £54.50 (£45 concs). Menier Chocolate Factory, SE1 1TE. www.menierchocolatefactory.com
Sunday 3 November
The Noah Tour of the British Museum
Many of the artefacts held in the British Museum have great Jewish significance. Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum leads a tour of the collection, which looks deeper into how ancient Babylon influenced Biblical Israel and the moral revolution that the Torah introduced to the world.
10.30am. £25. British Museum, WC1B 3DG. www.lsjs.ac.uk
Sunday 17 November
Annual AJEX Remembrance Parade & Ceremony
March, walk or watch to honour and remember the thousands of Jewish servicemen and women who fought for our nation’s freedom.
1.45pm. FREE. The Cenotaph, SW1A 2ET. www.ajex.org.uk
Wednesday 20 November
Retail Giants: Heroes and Villains of the High Street
A number of stories relating to the big names on today’s high street that are buried in Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Discover the fascinating tales behind the lives of the people who contributed to a huge variety of things we buy today, from furniture, clothes and jewellery to fuel and food, including Jack Cohen, founder of Tesco, and Harriet Samuel of high street jewellers H Samuel.
11am. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
WALKS
WORKSHOPS
Until Monday 9 December
In-Depth Parasha for Women
Jewish scholars Dr Fromson and Rabbi Herzog will lead this weekly course exploring Sefer Bereshit, the first book of the Torah. Participants will gain psychological insights into the people and stories in that week’s portion, bringing fresh approaches to its narrative.
10.30am. £90 per session. ONLINE & London School of Jewish Studies, NW4 2SJ. www.lsjs.ac.uk
until Friday 13 December
Ancient languages, Jewish History and Jewish Science
University College London’s Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies presents various courses on Jewish history, science and languages, including Yiddish, Aramaic, Akkadian, Hebrew and Ugaritic. All are welcome, including mature applicants.
Time TBC. £750 (full course), £375 (half course). University College London, WC1E 6BT. www.ucl.ac.uk
until Monday 16 december
The Creation of the Middle East
The Middle East only became favoured by those who lived outside of it following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the increase in the need for oil. Historian and writer Paula Kitching explores how the countries in the Middle East were created, the rise of Arab nationalism and the divisions and territorial ambitions within.
11am. £144 (full course), £20 (individual session). ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 31 October – Thursday 12 December
Modern Jewish Literature
Dr Aviva Dautch, poet and JR’s executive director explores the richness of modern Jewish culture through Israeli, European and American literature.
10.30am. £126, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 4 – Monday 25 November
Israel’s Declaration of Independence
Study the text of Israel’s declaration of independence (Megillat Atzma’ut) in rich detail with leading educator Robin Moss. The weekly sessions tackle varying narratives, including what the document says, what it means and the subsequent fate of diaspora Jews
8pm. £52. ONLINE & London School of Jewish Studies, NW4 2SJ. www.lsjs.ac.uk
Tuesday 5 November – Tuesday 17 December
What is Genocide?
Despite the term genocide being used increasingly of late, Holocaust educator Clive Lawton OBE examines what exactly genocide means and how rare one is. Combining current political affairs with Lawton’s extensive experience, the group will look at everything from the origins and definitions of the term to debating how, after so much Holocaust education, people can still be antisemitic.
11am. £126, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 7 November – Thursday 31 July
Hebrew Language for Beginners
Whether you have Jewish heritage or simply a love for languages, discover the magic of the Hebrew dialect in this course designed specifically for beginners.
8pm. £35 per session. 15 Kidderpore Avenue, NW3 7SJ. www.spiroark.org
Tuesday 26 November
The V&A and its Jewish Heritage
Jewish objects, artists and curators have played a significant role in the development of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collections. This full-day conference features international speakers, who will discuss the Jewish heritage of the museum.
10am. From £10. Victoria and Albert Museum, SW7 2RL. www.vam.ac.uk
Monday 13 January
Sculpting Lives: An Evening with Frances Segelman and Harry Olmer MBE
Internationally renowned sculptor Frances Segelman will create a sculpture of Holocaust survivor Harry Olmer MBE in front of a live audience for Yad Vashem UK. See Segelman in action, learn about the process of creating a piece and meet Olmer.
6pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk