MUSIC

Monday 4 September

Margaret Fingerhut: Around the World in 88 Piano Keys

Join pianist and Trinity Laban professor Margaret Fingerhut on a musical journey across the globe in one night. Starting in Norway with Grieg, listeners will travel through Switzerland and Italy with Liszt, then Ukraine with Bortkiewicz and Romania with Bartók. After a short stopover (interval), Fingerhut and the audience will resume course in Nigeria with Bankole, followed by an exploration of the Middle East with Babylonia, a new commission by Roxanna Panufnik (supported by the Dangoor Foundation), Hong Kong (Chasins), Mexico (Ponce) and more. A fascinating evening, not to be missed. Read more about Babylonia in the Summer 2023 issue of JR.

7.30pm. Phone for prices. St Mary's Church, Luton, LU1 3JF. www.margaretfingerhut.co.uk

THEATRE

Friday 13 – Sunday 16 October

Conversations: From Hell to Wonder-mere

In 2003, psychiatrist David Rendel met Holocaust survivor Shlomo Weider and, in conversation, mentioned that his late father was also a survivor. It transpires that Weider and Rendel’s father were well acquainted throughout the war, before being brought to Windermere to recuperate, adapt to British life and become part of The Windermere Boys. Discover more of the story in this play, based on a remarkable true story.

2.30pm & 7.30pm (Sat only). £12. The Old Laundry Theatre, Windermere, LA23 3BX. www.oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk

THEATRE

Until Saturday 18 November

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

A new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s multi-award-winning musical heads out on a tour of the UK. Featuring songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including ‘Any Dream Will Do’ and ‘Go Go Go Joseph’.

Times vary. £24-£29.50. Forum Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees, TS23 2LJ. www.kenwright.com/portfolio/joseph-and-the-technicolor-dreamcoat

MUSIC

Saturday 27 January

London Gershwin Players

To mark the 100th anniversary of the composition of Rhapsody in Blue, Musica Viva welcomes the London Gershwin Players and conductor Mark Forkgen in an upbeat evening of works by Gershwin. Pieces include the overture to the musical Girl Crazy, Porgy and Bess, Fantasy and American in Paris. Plus a performance of Rhapsody in Blue with Robert Taub on piano in an original Paul Whiteman Band version of the song.

7pm. £12 (£10 concs). University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA. www.plymouth.ac.uk

BOOKS & POETRY

Sunday 10 October

Jewish Tales

Author Liz Berg tells local tales from her book Jewish Folk Tales in Britain and Ireland.

2pm. FREE. Bournemouth Reform Synagogue, BH1 3PA. www.bournemouthreform.org.uk

TALKS

Wednesday 10 April

Zion Mule Corps in Gallipoli

Described as the first regular Jewish fighting force to take part in a war since 132 BC, The Zion Mule Corps not only had to contend with the Turks and cynicism about an alien force fighting as part of the British Army, but also with profound antisemitism amongst higher ranks of the Army. Robert Bieber MBE of King’s College London will discuss the group.

8pm. £5. ONLINE & Loughton Synagogue, IG10 1TE. www.jhse.org

TALKS

Sunday 10 September

William Hill Knight

Historian Neela Mann outlines the life and work of architect William Hill Knight. At the age of 22, he completed his first design, Cheltenham Synagogue, and went on to draw up some of the town’s most iconic buildings. Hosted in association with B’nai B’rith UK. Booking for this event opens 1 August.

10-11am. FREE. Cheltenham Synagogue, GL50 3PU. www.cheltenhamsynagogue.org

Sunday 10 September

Aspects of Jewish Life in Britain 1800-1850

Jessica Shapiro gives a brief overview of Anglo-Jewry in the Regency and early Victorian era, focusing on economic and social history, as well as changing patterns in settlement. While the majority of Jews lived in London during this period, Shapiro concentrates on life in the provinces, including Cheltenham. Hosted in association with B’nai B’rith UK. Booking for this event opens 1 August.

11.30am-12.30pm. FREE. Cheltenham Synagogue, GL50 3PU. www.cheltenhamsynagogue.org

Sunday 10 September

Dissenters' Boxes: The Nonconformist Chapels of Early 19th Century Cheltenham

As well as synagogues, the 19th century saw the building of many nonconformist chapels in Cheltenham, most of which still survive, albeit in secular use. Dr Steven Blake investigates these buildings further, revealing their history and encouraging attendees to go out and explore for themselves. Hosted in association with B’nai B’rith UK. Booking for this event opens 1 August.

2-3pm. FREE. Cheltenham Synagogue, GL50 3PU. www.cheltenhamsynagogue.org

Sunday 10 September

Cheltenham's Historical but Controversial Montefiore Sefer Torah: Did Sir Moses Get Duped?

Rabbi Yosef Benarroch, a certified Sofer Stam from the Va’ad L’Mishmeres Stam (official institute for Jewish scribes based in Bnai Brak, Tel Aviv), delivers this talk about the annual Torahs commissioned by Sir Moses Montefiore, including Cheltenham's Montefiore Torah. Hosted in association with B’nai B’rith UK. Booking for this event opens 1 August.

4-5pm. FREE. Cheltenham Synagogue, GL50 3PU. www.cheltenhamsynagogue.org

TALKS

Sunday 17 September

Remembering the Salomons

Designed by Decimus Burton circa 1850 and set in 32 acres of picturesque Kent countryside, this Victorian mansion was the country home of the Salomons family for over a century. Today it is mainly used for events and weddings, but retains a two-room museum dedicated to the family. Museum curator Chris Jones tells the story of three generations of the Salomons, including the first Jewish Lord Mayor of London; a noted scientist and collector; and a sad casualty of World War I. Hosted in association with B’nai B’rith UK. Bookings open 1-31 August.

2.30pm. FREE. Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0TG. 01892 515 152. www.salomons-estate.com

THEATRE

Thursday 19 March

My Jerusalem

At a time when Trump can declare Jerusalem to be the Jewish capital, accusations of antisemitism plague the Labour Party, and levels of awareness of the Palestinian cause and the negative feelings towards Israel rise, this solo performance from Avital Raz feels very timely indeed. My Jerusalem is a politically charged tale of a drunken one-night stand, infused with stories of growing up in the turmoil of 1980s Israel. A nuanced exploration of ethnicity, gender, racism and the underlying fear that perpetuates it; politics, division and an all too vulnerable humanity.

7pm. £5. Oldham Library, OL1 1AL. www.avitalraz.com/gigs.html

FAMILY

Monday 23 & Tuesday 24 September

First Encounters: The Merchant of Venice

Introduce the little ‘uns to Shakespeare with this version of The Merchant of Venice that’s been specially adapted for ages 7-13. Directed by Robin Belfield, First Encounters uses an edited version of the original text to bring Shakespeare’s story of justice and mercy to life in just 90 minutes. Young actors play Jessica and Lorenzo, the star-crossed lovers, and, true to Shakespeare’s time, Shylock the marginalised Jewish moneylender is played by a woman.

7pm. Phone for prices. Asfordby Captain's Close Primary School, Melton Mowbray, LE14 3TU. 01664 812 630. www.rsc.org.uk/first-encounters-the-merchant-of-venice

theatre

until Saturday 21 October

Metamorphosis

Frantic Assembly presents a thrilling new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s surreal short story, adapted by British author Lemn Sissay OBE and directed by Scott Graham. Metamorphosis follows Gregor Samsa, who awakes one morning in the body of a bug and finds himself fatally shunned by society. Read more about Metamorphosis in the Autumn 2023 issue of JR.

7.30pm, 1.30pm/2pm (Thu/Sat only). £11-£36. Liverpool Playhouse, L1 1EL. www.franticassembly.co.uk/productions/metamorphosis

ART

The Handa Gallery at Wells Maltings, Wells-Next-The-Sea

The Vienna Model of Radicalisation: Austria and the Shoah

Vienna was a gateway for the radicalisation of antisemitic policy in the Nazi State. Hans Safrian coined the term Vienna Model to accelerate expropriation and expulsion policies in Austria during the Holocaust. To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2024, this exhibition explores the significance of the Holocaust in Austria and reveals Jewish self-help and acts of resistance by courageous individuals, paying tribute to the UK, the US and other countries in providing shelter to Jewish refugees. It will also illuminate the silence around the Holocaust in post-war Austria; a silence the perpetrators benefitted from.

Until 2 February

NR23 1AN. www.wellsmaltings.org.uk

FAMILY

Tuesday 14 April

We Were There: Family Day

Eyewitnesses and veterans of World War II share their memories of life at sea and what it was like to grow up during the war.

11am, 1.30pm. FREE. HMS Belfast, SE1 2JH. www.iwm.org.uk

walks

Sunday 10 September

Oxford Jewish Congregation Open Day

Discover the history of the Oxford Jewish Congregation, which rather uniquely welcomes Jews of all denominations. Hosted in association with B’nai B’rith UK.

2-5.30pm. FREE. Oxford Jewish Congregation, OX1 2JL. 01865 514 356. www.ojc-online.org

THEATRE

Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 November

Metamorphosis

Frantic Assembly presents a thrilling new adaptation of Franz Kafka’s surreal short story, adapted by British author Lemn Sissay OBE and directed by Scott Graham. Metamorphosis follows Gregor Samsa, who awakes one morning in the body of a bug and finds himself fatally shunned by society. Read more about Metamorphosis in the Autumn 2023 issue of JR.

7.30pm, 2.30pm (Wed, Thu & Sat only). £15-£32.50. Mercury Theatre, Colchester, CO1 1PT. www.franticassembly.co.uk/productions/metamorphosis

Comedy

Thursday 21 October

David Baddiel: Trolls Not the Dolls

David Baddiel’s Twitter bio reads simply one word: Jew. His posts on antisemitism in Britain have seen internet trolls roping him into emotionally charged debates over religion and anti-Jewish sentiment. Now the London comedian and author responds to these negative incidents with humour, asking why bother with it all?

7.30pm. £31. Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, SN1 1QN. www.davidbaddiel.com

THEATRE

until Saturday 21 October

The Merchant of Venice 1936

This groundbreaking production of the Shakespeare classic stars Tracy-Ann Oberman as Shylock, reimagined as a widowed single mother in London’s East End in the 1930s. She runs a small business from her cramped terrace house in Cable Street, desperately slaving to provide a prosperous future for her daughter Jessica, while also combatting the violent rise in antisemitism. Read our review of The Merchant of Venice 1936 on the JR blog and read our interview with Tracy-Ann Oberman in the Winter 2023 issue of JR.

7.30pm, 2.30pm (Wed & Sat). From £24.64. Festival Theatre, WR14 3HB. www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

TALKS

Monday 5 November

Notable Leeds Jews

A lecture by Michael Meadowcroft for the Jewish Historical Society of England.

8pm. FREE. United Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Leeds, LS17 8DW. 011 3318 6403. https://jhse.org 

THEATRE

Wednesday 17 October

Gay and Friends

Play reading.

7.30pm. £3 (inc. refreshments). Kingfield Synagogue, Sheffield, S11 8UX. sheffieldsjcc@gmail.com