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
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
British Museum
Silk Roads
Discover the journey that people, products and ideas made along the famed ancient merchant route known as the Silk Road, spanning Asia, Africa and Europe. While the network of roads remained in regular use from 130 BC until 1453, this exhibition focuses on the period between 500 AD and 1,000, featuring objects found in a geniza (sacred storeroom within a synagogue) in Fustat, Egypt, including Jewish Bibles, letters and marriage contracts, ceramics from the Tang Dynasty, and even Indian garnets uncovered in Suffolk.
Until 23 February
WC1B 3DG. 020 7323 8299. www.britishmuseum.org
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 Enfield
To a Child Refugee in a Foreign Land
At age nine, Grete Glauber was sent on the Kindertransport from Vienna to start a new life with her adopted mother Olive Rudkin in England. Explore the relationship between the two through never-before-seen photographs and Rudkin’s poem, To a Child Refugee in a Foreign Land.
Until 24 February
EN2 6DS. 020 8379 8353. www.dugdaleartscentre.co.uk
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, forcing him to leave much of his work behind, a lot of which was later destroyed or damaged. However, he also made and commissioned photographs 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
Monday 25 November
Jewish Odesa: Negotiating Identities and Traditions in Contemporary Ukraine
Jews living in Odesa, Ukraine’s historic port city, have had to adapt since the Russian invasion. Marina Sapritsky-Nahum’s presents her newest book, Jewish Odesa: Negotiating Identities and Traditions in Contemporary Ukraine, which offers an in-depth exploration of how the Jewish community are redefining their sense of belonging in today’s Ukraine.
6pm. FREE. University College London, WC1H 0BW. www.ucl.ac.uk
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
Wednesday 29 January
The Boy Who Didn't Want to Die
Holocaust survivor Peter Lantos presents his new book describing his journey through war-torn Europe aged five (1944-45). The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Die, formerly an award-winning biography for children, follows Lantos and his parents on an adventure that soon turns bleak when they’re sent to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where his father was murdered. Lantos is in conversation with writer Angela Gluck discussing the early years of his life and his reaction to seeing his story turned into a graphic novel.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 27 January
Just One More Goal
Jewish footballing legend David Pleat launches his new memoir Just One More Goal, which examines how modern football became what it is today. Starting as a player in the England Schoolboy International in 1960, Pleat later served a season as Tottenham Hotspur’s manager before a fabricated tabloid scandal prompted his resignation. He will be in conversation with his north London rival, former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein and interviewed by sports journalist Graham Miller. Followed by a book signing.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 3 February
Safeguarding the Sites of the Holocaust
In commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day, Martin Winstone draws from the third edition of his book, which considers the preservation of significant locations from the Holocaust. Joined by Professor Gilly Carr (University of Cambridge), the two discuss what constitutes a Holocaust site, how this meaning has changed in recent years and the challenges these sites face today.
6.30pm. FREE. Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Wednesday 19 February
Off-White
Rachel Shabi’s new book looks into the complexities of racism and antisemitism in today’s climate. Off-White spotlights the importance of understanding these issues in a way that can build stronger coalitions and guide progressive politics forward. Shabi is in conversation with Alona Ferber, editor of the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy section.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 25 February
Open Mic Night with the Jewish Poet Society
Judy Karbritz, co-founder of the Jewish Poet Society, invites attendees to celebrate the beauty of poetry by sharing original works or favourite poems. Attendees are welcome to perform or just listen.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 11 March
Celebrating Everyday Jewishness: A Seriously Playful Evening
Despite the heightened tension currently surrounding Judaism, Dr Keith Kahn-Harris celebrates the mundanity and mediocrity of the religion in his new book. Everyday Jews is a celebration of daily life, and this evening is no different. Enjoy talks, jokes on Jewish fallibility, Palwin cocktails and a karaoke session with a twist.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 31 March
The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz
Author Anne Sebba untangles the complex story of the women’s orchestra of Auschwitz in her upcoming book. She discusses how and why the group was formed, the stories of its members and looks at the moral quandaries of music’s role in a death camp.
6.30pm. £20. Imperial War Museum London, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.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 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. However, while it was promoted as a reliable source of news and music, in reality it was a hotbed for propaganda, psychological warfare and even secret codes for undercover agents. During its lifespan, from the 1940s-60s, the station was a major threat to rulers of the Arab world and was dubbed ‘The Israel Broadcasting Corporation’s Propaganda Orchestra’ by its competitors. Discover the story behind this fascinating moment in history in this screening of Ofer Pinchasov’s 2023 documentary.
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
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
Thursday 13 February
Chaos Dragon and the Light
As a young girl, Marika Henriques was hidden from the Nazis in a cellar in Budapest. Now in her 80s, she tells her story for the first time in this documentary, the themes of which – war, migration and the refugee experience – are powerfully resonant today. Followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Sal Anderson and psychologist and psychotherapist Gaby Glassman.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 24 February
Cary Grant: Rise to Stardom
Born into poverty, Cary Grant’s life transformed as he rose to stardom in classic films including North by Northwest and The Bishop’s Wife. Media lecturer George McGhee examines the life and career of a man who, with five marriages, led a private life as interesting as his professional one.
2pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 25 March
1945: A Kind of Haunting
The Britten Sinfonia, conducted by Jonathan Berman and featuring baritone James Newby, spotlight three works from past and present to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. From 1938, there's Bohuslav Martinů’s Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano, and Timpani, which reflects the life of the Czech composer and the political climate in Europe at the time; plus Metamorphosen (1944-45) by German composer Richard Strauss, which evokes the way that World War II transformed humanity. The audience will also get to hear the world premiere of Michael Zev Gordon's A Kind of Haunting, about intergenerational trauma, inspired by the British composer's grandfather, who was murdered in a forest in Poland during the Holocaust. Read more about A Kind of Haunting in the Winter 2025 issue of JR.
7.30pm. £15-£35. Milton Court Concert Hall, Barbican, EC2Y 9BH. www.barbican.org.uk
TALKS
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
Monday 20 January
Jewish Languages and Book Culture
Judith Schlanger and César Merchán-Hamann (both of University of Oxford) explore the evolution of Jewish language over the last two millennia. They look at books written in various languages, including Aramaic, Ladino and Judeo-Italian, which incorporate Hebrew letters, to gain insight into the linguistic richness of Jewish life.
7pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 21 January
Philippe Sands: The Holocaust and the Nuremberg Trials
Lawyer and academic Philippe Sands KC and James Bulgin, head of public history at the Imperial War Museum, lead a tour of IWM’s Holocaust galleries. They’ll provide an insightful perspective of the archives and the Nuremberg trials, followed by a discussion and Q&A.
6.30pm. £60. Imperial War Museum, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk
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
Friday 24 January
Holocaust Memorial Day
Commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day with a talk by politicians Lord John Mann and Daniel Finkelstein; music from chazan (cantor) Jonny Turgel and pianist Josh Nesbitt; and survivor testimony.
10.30am. FREE. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 5 February
Israel: Outlook for 2025
Middle East analyst Jonathan Paris explores his predicted outcome of the Israel-Gaza war and US relations with Israel under the new administrations.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 12 February
Helen Lederer: The Secret Listeners of Trent Park
Trent Park, an English country house, held high-ranking German war prisoners during World War II. Living amongst them were stool pigeons – the codename for German-speaking undercover operatives – encouraging captives to talk about sensitive topics and reporting back to secret listeners located in the basement. Actor and comedian Helen Lederer discusses the life and work of her grandfather, Captain Ernst Lederer, an agent for MI9 (secret British intelligence organisation), who worked as both a stool pigeon and a secret listener.
6.15pm. £60. Imperial War Museum London, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk
Monday 27 January
How to Read a Medieval Jewish Horoscope
Astrology may have had a mixed reaction from the Jewish community in recent history, but evidence shows that it was a vital source of information in medieval times. Dr Joseph O’Hara, research fellow at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, looks at the use of practical astrology, as detailed in documents discovered in the Cairo geniza (a sacred storeroom) in the Ben Ezra synagogue in Fustat.
7.30pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 3 February
Lives Unrolled: Tracing Jewish Life Through Ancient Egyptian Papyri
Ancient Jewish history professor Meron M Piotrkowski discusses Egyptian Jewish life during the Graeco-Roman period (8th century BC-5th century AD). Using papyrology, the study of ancient manuscripts and literature, learn how Jews navigated their complex identities, balancing their religion with integrating into society.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 5 February
Annual Spiro Tribute
David Quarry, former British Ambassador in Israel and current British representative to NATO, celebrates the tremendous work of Nitza and her late husband Robin Spiro, founders of the Jewish educational organisation Spiro Ark.
7pm. Price TBC. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.spiroark.org
Monday 10 February
Jewish Feminism: Between Suffrage and WIZO
Lecturer Peter Bergamin describes the link between the females who founded The Federation of Women Zionists (1918), Women’s International Zionist Organisation (1920) and the Women’s Social and Political Union (1903). He discusses the role British Jews had in female political empowerment at the time and the central figures in the formation of these groups.
7.30pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 24 February
Creating a Storm: Jewish Women in the World of Arts & Culture
From household names to hidden trailblazers, British-born Jewish women have provided immense contributions to 20th-century arts. JR’s executive director Dr Aviva Dautch and Dr Isabelle Seddon, expert on London’s Jewish East End, discuss these remarkable, yet often overlooked stories.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 6 March
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
Wednesday 26 March
Global Trends 2045
Jonathan Paris (Middle East analyst) discusses what he thinks global politics will look like in 2045 in relation to Israel’s role in both the region and the wider world.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
THEATRE
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 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
until 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
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
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
Monday 10 February – Saturday 15 March
The Passenger
German author Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz penned his critically acclaimed novel The Passenger in the wake of Kristallnacht, but it didn’t become a best-seller until it was rediscovered by his niece some 70 years later. Playwright Nadya Menuhin now brings his story to the stage, following protagonist Otto Silbermann, who lost everything during the infamous Night of Broken Glass, as he’s forced to flee his homeland and adapt to a new world order.
7.30pm, 3pm (Sat & Sun only). £18-£25. Finborough Theatre, SW10 9ED. www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Sunday 19 January – Sunday 13 April
Willesden Jewish Cemetery: Gentle Walks
Hear stories about some of the remarkable people buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery on this gentle, flat walk. Start by sitting to watch a short video before seeing Commonwealth War Graves and rose gardens. Hear about musicians, retail visionaries and scientists who changed the world, as well as a chief rabbi who fought against the white slave trade. Hot drinks are available at the end of the walk.
11am. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Thursday 6 March
Women of Worth
Explore the backstreets of Whitechapel and Spitalfields with Blue Badge guide Rachel Kolsky and discover the stories of the women who made a significant impact on London’s East End Jews.
11am. £20. Starting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 30 March
London’s Jewish History Over the Centuries
Discover the story of London’s Jews dating back to medieval times on this walking tour across the city. From those brought to England by William the Conqueror to refugees during World War II and present-day immigration, delve into centuries of the capital’s Jewish history.
2pm. £20. Starting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
WALKS
WORKSHOPS
until 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
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 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
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
until 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
until 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
Monday 13 January - Monday 31 March
A Family Affair? The Story of Jewish-Christian Relations
In this educational series, author Angela Gluck addresses the evolving relationship between Judaism and Christianity. She uses historical case studies to explore how two faiths, which were once significantly divided, have fostered mutual appreciation.
10.30am. £176. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 13 January - Monday 31 March
Middle East 1936-46
Join historian Paula Kitching to discover how the Middle East developed between 1936 and 1946 and learn about the rise of Arab nationalism and territorial divisions.
11am. £198, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 14 January – Tuesday 18 March
Hebrew Calligraphy
Develop your skills in Hebrew calligraphy, artwork and colour with expert Vetta Alexis. Work towards creating beautiful, illuminated Hebrew letters, words, quotations and more with ink, painting and gold leaf.
11am. £162, £20 per session. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 25 February – Tuesday 25 March
Will Any Jews of the 20th Century Survive into Jewish History?
Look at well-known Jewish personalities of the last century with educational consultant, magistrate and presenter Clive Lawton OBE. This five-week workshop examines if any of these near-contemporaries will remain known in the generations to come.
11am. £90, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Saturday 15 March
The End of the War in Europe
In this full-day masterclass, learn how World War II ended in Europe and what happened in the aftermath. From the challenges of Allied soldiers to survivors of the Nazi persecution and the leaders who shaped the post-war period, see how people coped with and understood the world-changing events.
10am. £78. Imperial War Museum London, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk