LONDON
ART
30 Curtain Road
The Nova Exhibition
An immersive installation paying tribute to the fatal moment the music stopped at The Nova Music Festival in Israel, at 6.29am on 7 October 2023. Explore the pain, loss and action that has ensued as a result of the attack which started the current Israel-Gaza war, pay homage to the victims and examine the location’s brutal aftermath. The exhibition also captures the spirit of the Tribe of Nova in the healing room, under the hopeful plea that ‘we will dance again’.
Until 5 July
EC2A 3NZ. www.novaexhibition.com
Austrian Cultural Forum
Painting Sculpture: Sophie Barber & Franz West
Sophie Barber created a series of smalls-scale works referencing the name and art of Austrian Jewish sculptor Franz West, inspire by his pink outdoor sculptures shown at the 2019 Tate Modern retrospective. West, one of Austria’s most celebrated artists, was known for his unique aesthetic portraying both high and low reference points and privileged social interactions.
No end date specified
SW7 1PQ. 020 7225 7300. www.acflondon.org
Bank of England
Building the Bank: 100 Years On
Explore the fascinating transformation of the Bank of England’s iconic Threadneedle Street building in this exhibition. Architectural plans and models are displayed alongside artwork exploring the site, which started renovations in 1925. Read more about Building the Bank: 100 Years on in the Winter 2026 issue of JR.
No end date specified
EC2R 8AH. 020 3461 4878. www.bankofengland.co.uk
Ben Uri
Disruptors: Fractured Images and Migrant Wordl
Wordl, an intentional blend of ‘word’ and ‘world’, represents the refugee artists who had to reconfigure their language when arriving in their new homes, artistically capturing the experience of migration. The artworks in this exhibition highlight the difficulties that came from navigating a new language. Explore pieces by Gustav Metzger, Samuel (Shmuel) Dresner, Alfred Lomnitz, Hugo Dachinger and more.
Until 4 September
NW8 0RH. 020 7604 3991. www.benuri.org.uk
The Courtauld Gallery
Hepworth in Colour
For the first time, early works by sculptor Barbara Hepworth, who greatly influenced Jewish émigré artists in Britain, are shown alongside some of her most important drawings from the decade. This exhibition also displays examples of her coloured pieces from the 1950s and 1960s, exploring her original, unexpected use of tones.
Until 6 September
Somerset House, WC2R 0RN. 020 3947 7777. www.courtauld.ac.uk
JW3
Moses and the 613 Health and Safety Commandments
Miriam Elia marks Shavuot, the festival celebrating the giving of the Torah, with a satirical exhibition. Moses and the 613 Health and Safety Commandments offers a refreshing perspective on Jewish law through the lens of the modern culture of wellbeing. Presented as part of Jewish Culture Month.
Until 30 June
Legacy: The Story of the Jewish Family Who Founded J Lyons and Fed Britain
The Jewish Museum London presents an exhibition dedicated to the J Lyons entrepreneurial empire. In the 1800s, the German Jewish family fled to Britain, where they established the famous Lyons tea houses and corner shops, baked a wedding cake for the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and built iconic London landmarks including the Trocadero and Strand Palace Hotel.
Until 18 October
Tree of Life: Stories from the Jewish Museum London’s Collection
Experience Jewish life in Britain through a collection of Judaica, artefacts, photography and documents taken from the Jewish Museum London’s 35,000 strong archive. Objects date back to the 1650s up until 2023.
Until 18 October
NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
MCC Museum, Lord’s Cricket Ground
Cricket and the Jewish Community
This exhibition shows, for the first time, how Jewish people have contributed to the world of cricket. See clothing, artwork, books and videos exploring how Jews, both on the field and behind the scenes, not only represent their countries but have also been pivotal in the development of the sport.
No end date specified
NW8 8QN. 020 7616 8595. www.lords.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 is based on a well-worn photo that was carried by the great-grandmother of the donor of the painting. The piece was commissioned by the husband of the great-grandmother, an art dealer, who filled the family home with portraits. The pair met in the UK after the great-grandmother fled antisemitic violence in Eastern Europe.
No end date specified
E2 8EA. 020 7739 9893. www.museumofthehome.org.uk
National Portrait Gallery
Gillian Wearing: Spiritual Family
See four works from Gillian Wearing’s series Me As…, depicting the artist as Andy Warhol, Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe and Claude Cahun. These four names have had a profound effect on Wearing’s practice and she’s named them her ‘spiritual family’.
Until 10 January
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait
Explore the life, career and legacy of Marilyn Monroe in an exhibition marking what would have been her 100th birthday. The Golden Age icon converted to Judaism before marrying playwright Arthur Miller and maintained her Jewish identity even after their divorce. Portraits by artists including Andy Warhol and James Gill are shown alongside personal belongings, offering insight into the woman behind the icon.
Until 6 September
WC2H 0HE. 020 7306 0055. www.npg.org.uk
Southbank Centre
Anish Kapoor
Discover immersive sculptures and paintings by Anish Kapoor, who returns to the Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery almost 30 years after his first major UK show there. This retrospective features some of the Jewish Indian artist’s most iconic works, including steel mirror sculptures and objects coated in Vantablack, possibly the world’s darkest material which, controversially, Kapoor gained exclusive use of in 2016 – a move that maddened the art world. Plus, see several new works, including two huge installations in his signature red. Read more about Anish Kapoor on the JR blog and in the Spring 2026 issue of JR.
Until 18 October
SE1 8XX. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Tate Modern
Frida: The Making of an Icon
This exhibition showcases more than 30 works by revolutionary artist Frida Kahlo, who identified as Jewish despite her heritage being questioned throughout her career. Kahlo was known for showing the many sides of her personality in her art – from a dedicated wife and intellectual to a political activist – and her story went on to inspire hundreds of pieces by contemporary artists. Frida: The Making of an Icon explores the transformative power of her work, highlighting her lasting influence, fandom and the communities who continue to claim her as their own.
Until 3 January 2027
SE1 9TG. www.tate.org.uk
WIENER HOLOCAUST LIBRARY
Life and Death in Saharan Vichy Labour Camps
The Wiener Holocaust Library’s archival documents uncover the little-known story of forced labour camps in the Sahara throughout World War II, which held Jewish, Spanish Republican and local political prisoners. Run by the Vichy French authorities, the labour camps exploited its captives to construct a trans-Saharan railway, a project supported by the Nazis. Explore the violence and mistreatment that occurred and learn about the experiences of the German Jewish men who found themselves there.
Until 20 August
Nazi Slave Labour: Perpetrators and Victims
This exhibition reveals how perpetrators of the Holocaust, including the SS, chemical giant IG Farben, and the arms manufacturer Krupp, profited from the exploitation of slave labour. The forced work within concentration camps was brutal, with starvation, exhaustion, disease and physical abuse causing 2.5 million deaths. Despite its scale, this exploitation remains one of the least understood aspects of the period. Through covert photographs, eyewitness testimonies and documents exposing the complicit companies, the exhibition highlights the financial gain, power and responsibility associated with this dark chapter of history.
Until 30 October
WC1B 5DP. 020 7636 7247. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
Tuesday 23 June
The Nuremberg Women
Natalie Livingstone discusses her new book with Lord Daniel Finkelstein to mark the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials. The Nuremberg Women spotlights the stories of eight extraordinary females throughout the most famous trials of the 20th century, and includes well-documented names such as journalist Rebecca West, cabaret star turned war correspondent Erika Mann and painter Laura Knight, as well as lesser-known names who have been largely forgotten over the years.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Tuesday 7 July
I Will Not Abandon You: Queer Women in Nazi Germany
In his new book, Samuel Clowes Huneke shows how love, resistance and collective action survived under Nazi rule. I Will Not Abandon You focuses specifically on the experience of queer women at the time, exploring the little-known balls that they organised, the persecution they faced and how they fought fascism together. Clowes Huneke appears in conversation with Dr Rosie Ramsden (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Dr William Ross Jones (Wiener Holocaust Library).
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Tuesday 21 July
Unknown Enemy: The Hidden Nazi Force that Built the Third Reich
In his recent book, Dr Charles Dick examines the Third Reich’s slave labour programme and the Nazi engineering and military Organisation Todt (OT), which exploited millions of workers from conquered countries. The OT was at the heart of Hitler’s regime, but has been vastly removed from history. Unknown Enemy unpicks the story of the establishment across Europe, highlighting the survivors of its violence.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Sunday 2 August
Jews by the Seaside: Bournemouth’s Jewish Hotels
Social historian Pam Fox draws on her 2021 book to dive into the world of Jewish hotels and guesthouses in Bournemouth. She’ll talk about boarding houses, ballroom dances and the unique culture that flourished on the south coast. Featuring a Q&A and signed copies available to purchase.
2pm. £5. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Tuesday 25 August
Homophobia in Nazi Concentration Camps: Perceptions in Prisoner Narratives
In her new book, Dr Uta Rautenberg presents a groundbreaking study on homophobia amongst Holocaust prisoners. Homophobia in Nazi Concentration Camps breaks the stigma of queerness at the time, exploring the experiences of those who’d had same-sex relationships during their persecution. Rautenberg uses early testimonies, oral histories, memoirs and extensive archival material to analyse both female and male stories, shining a light on gender differences and reinforcing the need for an inclusive approach to history.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 27 August
The Emperor of Atlantis or The Refusal of Death Facsimile
Discover the history of an opera composed and rehearsed in the Theresienstadt ghetto. The Emperor of Atlantis or The Refusal of Death, created by Viktor Ullmann and Peter Kien – both of whom were murdered in Auschwitz – was never performed, but documents relating to the work miraculously survived the Holocaust. Ulmann’s manuscripts ended up in Switzerland and Kien’s work found its way to London’s Wiener Holocaust Library. The facsimile, which was edited by Heidy Zimmerman, combines these materials with Ullmann’s full musical score, Kien’s handwritten libretto and various Holocaust writings. Zimmerman presents the recreated manuscript here alongside Jeremy Adler, whose father was responsible for the works surviving the wartime years.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Monday 7 September
Paper Tombs: Post-Holocaust Memorial Books and Prewar Jewish Life
Dr Jennifer Rich presents her upcoming book, which explores works of collective memory dedicated to the towns and communities that had been destroyed in the Holocaust. Paper Tombs looks specifically at yizker bikher, a survivor-created initiative of archival materials including text, images and community memorial to document pre-war Jewish life and acts of remembrance.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
BOOKS & POETRY
Sunday 12 July
One Beach, Three Languages: A Family Storytelling Day
Enjoy a Jewish children’s story presented in English (12.30pm), Hebrew (2pm) and Russian (3.30pm) followed by ocean-themed crafts. Hosted by JW3 in partnership with PJ Library.
Times vary. £8 per child, £6 per adult. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 9 August
Family Disco on the Beach
Dance, craft and play at JW3’s beach, where Lanaland will provide the tunes and PJ Library will provide the books at a disco for all the family to enjoy.
10.30am. £5 per child, £7 per adult. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Saturday 26 September
Shabbat of Welcome
Celebrate the first day of Sukkot with a special Shabbat service at West London Synagogue.
10.45am. FREE. West London Synagogue, W1H 5AU. www.wls.org.uk
family
until Sunday 5 July
Bad Shabbos
David and his almost-converted fiancée Meg are dreading Shabbat dinner at his parents’ Upper West Side apartment, when Meg’s Catholic parents are meeting David’s family for the first time. Daniel Robbin’s 2024 award-winning film unites David’s neurotic mother Ellen, known for her passive aggressive jabs, with siblings who can’t stop bickering and a disaster that no-one could have predicted. This screening of Bad Shabbos is presented by UK Jewish Film Festival and JW3.
Times vary. From £9. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 7 July
Le Cose non Dette: Things Left Unsaid
Hamos Guetta’s documentary explores the story, courage and heroism of a Jewish couple in Libya, who were under the rule of Colonel Gaddafi, who intended on eradicating all of the country’s Jews during his time as prime minister. Guetta will join remotely from Rome for a post-screening Q&A.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 15 July
Shiva Baby
When college student Danielle attends a Jewish mourning ceremony (shiva) with her parents, she unexpectedly runs into her ex-girlfriend and her older, married sugar daddy, who is there with his wife and baby. This special screening of Emma Seligman’s 2021 film is proceeded by a comedy set from Rachel Creeger, exploring teenage angst and embarrassing moments.
7pm. £16.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 26 July
Between the Temples
Grieving cantor Ben Gottlieb lost his singing voice and his faith after his wife’s sudden death in Nathan Silver’s 2024 dark comedy. Between the Temples follows Gottlieb as he’s reunited with his grade school music teacher, cueing his fresh start in life. The screening is accompanied by an open conversation, inviting the audience to share their stories of reinvention.
6pm. £16.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 16 August
A Serious Man
The Coen Brothers’s 2009 dark comedy-drama is centred around a Jewish physics professor who finds his life in turmoil when his wife demands a divorce, his brother moves in and his career is threatened. See what happens when Larry Gopnik seeks advice from three rabbis to cope with his unravelling life in A Serious Man, which explores themes of meaningless suffering, fate and the limits of logic.
6pm. £16.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
FILM AND TV
MUSIC
until Saturday 4 July
We Had a World
Joshua Harmon, whose known for exploring his Jewish identity within his works, presents a personal, satirical portrayal of his New York childhood. We Had a World unpicks the influence Harmon’s eccentric grandmother had on him and uncovers the secrets of cruelty and enduring love lurking within the family’s history. Directed by Josh Seymour.
7.45pm. £28, £10 concessions. Hampstead Theatre, NW3 3EU. www.hampsteadtheatre.com
UNTIL Thursday 30 July
JMI Community Orchestra
Internationally acclaimed cellist Shirley Smart leads a monthly rehearsal exploring Maqam, Middle Eastern classical Jewish, klezmer and folk music. Suitable for musicians grade five and up looking for professional leadership and an inclusive community.
7pm. From £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 30 June
Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
Following the success of his album Still Blooming, which reached number one on the Official Jazz and Blues Albums Chart, Hollywood actor Jeff Goldblum takes his jazz band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, on their first ever UK tour. Hear classic American Songbook favourites as well as contemporary pieces, as Goldblum presents his signature crooner skills behind the piano. Read more about Jeff Goldblum and the tour on the JR blog.
6.45pm. From £58. Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP. www.royalalberthall.com
Wednesday 1 July
The Ollie Usiskin Quartet
Drummer Ollie Usiskin is joined by his long-standing quartet – Dirk Vetter (sax), Aled Thomas (piano) and Rob Statham (bass), for a klezmer and modern jazz concert.
7.30pm. £16. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 22 July
Sabra Swing: Jews in Jazz
Music by Irving Berlin, George Gerhswin, Carole King and many more feature in Sabra Swing’s performance, which explores the world of Jews in jazz and their influence on the Great American Songbook.
7.30pm. £24. The Radlett Centre, WD7 8HL. www.radlettcentre.co.uk
Saturday 25 July – Saturday 12 September
Tao of Glass
Jewish composer Philip Glass accompanies performer and director Phelim McDermott in a story exploring life, loss and the search for inspiration. This personal collaboration combines thoughts on life, death and Taoist wisdom (an ancient Chinese philosophy focused on living in harmony), and features an ensemble of musicians and puppeteers.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £25. Soho Place, W1D 3BG. www.sohoplace.org
TALKS
Tuesday 23 June
Middle East Update
Analyst Jonathan Paris discusses the latest issues currently shaping the Middle East. He’ll cover the longevity of the Islamic regime, as well as the possibility of peace between Israel and Syria, the disarming of Hamas and Hezbollah, and Trump’s continued support.
7.30pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 25 June
Jews in Hairdressing
Discover the remarkable imprint Jewish hairdressers made on 20th-century popular culture. Presented by Zuleika Rodgers, daughter of Dublin’s first Vidal Sassoon stylist and author of an upcoming book exploring the topic; and Leslie Cavendish, a hairdresser whose celebrity clients included The Beatles, Bee Gees and more.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 1 July
Barbara Hepworth: Carving New Spaces
Coinciding with the Courtauld Gallery’s exhibition, Hepworth in Colour (see Art), Sophia Lachowsky discusses how Barbara Hepworth’s body of work engaged with Jewish artists who migrated to Britain. The sculptor, who had a fascination with colour, used organic shapes and ‘pierced’ holes to reflect a deep connection between human figures and the natural world.
7.15pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 2 July
Gender and Slave Labour
Dr Christine Schmidt (The Wiener Holocaust Library) and Professor Dan Stone (University of London) explore Markkleeberg and Christianstadt, the two female-only subcamps of Buchenwald and Gross-Rosen concentration camps. This talk, which is taking place in relation to the library’s exhibition Nazi Slave Labour: Perpetrators and Victims, uncovers the horrors that ensued, with women being forced to produce ammunition and aircrafts in brutal conditions with exposure and no protection to dangerous chemicals and machinery.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Sunday 5 July
Remembering the Fallen with No Known Grave
To mark 80 years since the end of World War II, AJEX (The Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen) presents a special service of remembrance at the Jewish War Memorial in Willesden Jewish Cemetery.
1pm. Price tbc. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.ajex.org.uk
Tuesday 7 July
Charting a Landscape of Antisemitism and Radicalisation Online and Offline
A panel discuss how our digital footprint can influence the prevention, development and spread of radicalisation, antisemitism and disinformation. This talk is part of the Hella Pick Lecture series, which pays tribute to the life, work and legacy of the pioneering Jewish journalist Hella Pick, whose career as foreign correspondent for The Guardian spanned over 30 years.
7pm. FREE. Austrian Cultural Forum, SW7 1PQ. www.acflondon.org
Wednesday 8 July
The Right Honourable Lady Ingrid Simler DBE
Discover The Rt Hon. Lady Simler DBE’s unusual life story and career, which have been pivotal in her commitment to diversity and inclusion within law. She discusses her journey to the Supreme Court with Samantha Leek KC.
6.45pm. £20. Central London location provided upon booking. www.jewishlawyers.co.uk
Wednesday 15 July
Rembrandt
Devout Christian artist Rembrandt van Rijn reflected on his deep relationship with Judaism in his work. He lived in the heart of Amsterdam’s Sephardic Jewish quarter and frequently used his neighbours as models for his portraits. He also sought rabbinical advice to perfect his paintings and etchings of the Torah. Art and architecture guide Muriel Carré discusses some of the pieces by Rembrandt that are hung in the National Gallery, offering a perspective on his personal life, inspirations and the students he taught.
1.30pm, 3.30pm. £20. National Gallery, WC2N 5DN. www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Thursday 16 July
Chinese Jewish Life and Music in Kaifeng
Dr Alexander Knapp uncovers the little-known background of Chinese Jewish music in an audio-visual presentation. Discover historical and contemporary accounts of everyday life for Jews in 12th-century Kaifeng and look into the vocal and instrumental practices associated with the province’s synagogue. Knapp will also share some of the insights he gained from meeting with Chinese academics and informants during his visits to Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing over the years. Kosher Chinese refreshments provided.
6.30pm. FREE. University College London, WC1E 6BT. www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanities/institute-jewish-studies
Thursday 23 July
The Nuremberg Trials
Imperial War Museum’s curator and Holocaust expert Dr James Bulgin opens an exploration of the Nuremberg trials, which brought Nazi officials to justice for their war crimes and helped shape international human rights laws. He’s followed by Natalie Livingstone, author of The Nuremberg Women, a recent book spotlighting the stories of eight extraordinary women connected to one of bthe most famous trials of the 20th century. The book features well-documented figures such as journalist Rebecca West, cabaret star-turned-war correspondent Erika Mann and painter Laura Knight, alongside lesser-known women whose contributions have largely been forgotten over the years.
6.30pm. £20. Imperial War Museum, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk
Friday 31 July
Marilyn Monroe: Stardom, Glamour and the Spirit of Hollywood
A panel of speakers delves into the fascinating life and career of Marilyn Monroe in response to the National Portrait Gallery’s current exhibition, Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait. The star, who converted to Judaism to marry Arthur Miller and maintained her Jewish identity even after their divorce, was known for her comic acting skills, striking looks, fashion sense and sex appeal.
7pm. £15. National Portrait Gallery, WC2H 0HE. www.npg.org.uk
Wednesday 2 September
Echoes from Auschwitz: Jewish Child Forced Labourers and the Holocaust
Professor Johannes-Dieter Steinhert highlights the living and working experience for children during and after the Holocaust. Touching on a research project using hundreds of testimonies, contemporary and post-war documents, hear the experiences of 1.5 million Jewish young people, a minority of whom escaped death as forced labourers by hiding and with partisan groups. Those who lived through the atrocities were subject to both external and internal wounds, scars, disabilities and trauma, and many lost all trust in adults.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Monday 14 – Sunday 27 September
Benjamin Disraeli
Get an insight into how Benjamin Disraeli’s Jewishness shaped his life and political career in the gothic surrounds of his former residence. This talk takes place at 1pm daily. Hosted in association with B’nai B’rith UK.
10am-5pm (talk 1pm). FREE. Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
THEATRE
until Sunday 28 June
How to Make a Mess
Emily Rose Simons and Grace Taylor present a ‘totally unauthorised love letter’ to the iconic Jewish cook Nigella Lawson. Discover the power her recipes have in navigating grief, choosing what we let into our lives and what we leave behind in How to Make a Mess. The musical focuses on Anna, who receives Lawson’s seminal cookbook How to Eat when her estranged mother passes away.
7.30pm. £25. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, N6 4BD. www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
UNTil Saturday 4 July
Soldiers of Tomorrow
Former Israeli Defence Force (IDF) conscript Itai Erdal shares a deeply personal exploration of the Arab Israeli conflict on stage. The play, which is having its first UK run since 7 October 2023, was inspired by Erdal’s eight-year-old nephew coming home with a box to fill for front-line soldiers marked “to the soldiers of today, from the soldiers of tomorrow”. Erdal is joined onstage by Syrian musician Emad Armoush, who plays the oud (stringed instrument) and the ney (a type of flute). Each performance is followed by a post-show discussion.
7.30pm, 3pm (Sat & Sun only). From £20, from £18 concs. Finborough Theatre, SW10 9ED. www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
until Saturday 4 July
We Had a World
Joshua Harmon, whose known for exploring his Jewish identity within his works, presents a personal, satirical portrayal of his New York childhood. We Had a World unpicks the influence Harmon’s eccentric grandmother had on him and uncovers the secrets of cruelty and enduring love lurking within the family’s history. Directed by Josh Seymour.
7.45pm. £28, £10 concs. Hampstead Theatre, NW3 3EU. www.hampsteadtheatre.com
Until Sunday 4 October
Oliver!
Lionel Bart’s musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel returns for its second year at the Gielgud Theatre, featuring all of the acclaimed original cast. The orphaned Oliver Twist finds himself in London’s dark underworld with Fagin and his team of pickpockets, led by the Artful Dodger. With a score of well-known songs, including ‘Oom Pah Pah’ and ‘As Long as He Needs Me’, follow Oliver as he looks for happiness in Dickens’ story of the boy who asked for more.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Wed, Thu & Sat), 7pm (Tue only). From £35. Gielgud Theatre, W1D 6AR. www.oliverthemusical.com
Until Saturday 10 April 2027
Sinatra the Musical
Explore the man behind the icon in Sinatra the Musical, Joe DiPietro’s new West End show based on the life and career of legendary artist Frank Sinatra. From the New York performance that changed his life as a 27-year-old Italian American to his prolific affairs and his tumultuous relationship with the press, explore how the star’s determination led to a huge showbiz comeback. His greatest hits, like ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ and ‘Send in the Clowns’ were written by Jewish-American composers, and the singer passionately defended Jews and the State of Israel throughout his career. The show features over 20 timeless hits including ‘That’s Life’ and ‘Come Fly with Me’.
7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £20. Aldwych Theatre, WC2B 4DF. www.aldwychtheatre.com
Tuesday 23 June
Yiddish Theatre Reboot
The London Yiddish Players make their stage debut with a fast–paced, dramatic and moving series of sketches and extracts from classics, including The Dybbuk, and stories by Sholem Aleichem, the writer behind Fiddler on the Roof. Long–term thespians and first–time performers unite for this production, which is directed by comedian and writer David Schneider, theatre artist and Yiddish educator Tamara Micner and historian and singer Vivi Lachs.
7.30pm. £13.20. The Courtyard Theatre, N1 6EU. www.courtyardtheatre.com
Wednesday 24 June
Yiddish Theatre Reboot
The London Yiddish Players make their stage debut with a fast–paced, dramatic and moving series of sketches and extracts from classics, including The Dybbuk, and stories by Sholem Aleichem, the writer behind Fiddler on the Roof. Long–term thespians and first–time performers unite for this production, which is directed by comedian and writer David Schneider, theatre artist and Yiddish educator Tamara Micner and historian and singer Vivi Lachs.
7.30pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 1 – Saturday 25 July
Rika's Rooms
British-Jewish playwright Gail Louw portrays her mother’s turbulent life in Rika’s Rooms. The play follows an ordinary woman who moved from Nazi Germany to Palestine, then to Apartheid South Africa, before settling in England and living with dementia. Emma Wilkinson Wright plays the role of Rika, who was both a victim of war and a freedom fighter. Now, she lives between two worlds: a present she can no longer make sense of and a past haunted by ghosts.
7.30pm (Wed, Thu & Fri), 6pm (Sat only). £25.50, £22.50 concs. Tabard Theatre, W4 1LW. www.tabardtheatre.org.uk
Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 & Friday 17 July
Fagin: Hero or Villain?
In ode to the acclaimed stage adaptation of Oliver!, Steve Furst puts a new spin on the story and legacy of Fagin. This intimate, immersive performance of songs and sketches traces the transformation of a character dubbed “the Jew” 257 times by Charles Dickens, from villain to loveable legend. Furst inhabits a range of characters alongside the crook, first charting Fagin’s journey from page to stage, before exploring Lionel Bart’s musical reimagining of him.
7.30pm. £20. Circle and Star Theatre, NW3 6TE. www.circleandstar.com
Saturday 25 July – Saturday 12 September
Tao of Glass
See the West End premiere of 10 new pieces of music by veteran Jewish American composer Philip Glass, presented by his long-time collaborator, the British actor and director Phelim McDermott, who'll be accompanied by an ensemble of musicians and puppeteers. Inspired by a dream, Tao of Glass explores life, death and Taoist wisdom (the ancient Chinese philosophy devoted to living in harmony with the universe).
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £25. Soho Place, W1D 3BG. www.sohoplace.org
Tuesday 1– Saturday 5 September
Wiesenthal
Discover the true story of Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal, who devoted his life to bringing Nazi war criminals to justice, in this one-man play. Wiesenthal was written by Tom Dugan, directed by Mark Liebert and is performed by Christopher C Gibbs.
7pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). £15.50-£30, £13-£27.50 concs. Wilton’s Music Hall, E1 8JB. www.wiltons.org.uk
Wednesday 2 – Saturday 26 September
Annie Wobbler: Revisited
Arnold Wesker’s 1981 production returns to the London stage with a new 21st-century adaptation, featuring three short plays that spotlight Annie in very different lights. Olivier Award-winner Nichola McAuliffe encompasses the characters of Anna, a highly anxious Gen Z graduate; Annabella, a successful novelist turned cougar; and Annie, a homeless senior revisiting her past. Annie Wobbler reflects Wesker’s Jewish childhood and lived experiences, with his parents represented as a poor family from London’s East End, and many of his works have been studied by scholars of Jewish literature.
7.30pm (Tue – Sat), 3pm (Sat & Sun only). From £20, from £18 concs. Finborough Theatre, SW10 9ED. www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Sunday 28 June
Spitalfields: The Historic Jewish East End of London
Venture through the capital’s East End, past Bevis Marks – the UK’s oldest functioning synagogue – to the buzzing Spitalfields Market. Marc Gardiner guides participants through historic streets, including Brick Lane, where Yiddish was once the most common language, and to corners of the city that boast Jewish history dating back 1,000 years.
3pm. £20. Starting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 30 June
Jewish Theatreland
Blue Badge Guide Rachel Kolsky leads a walk of London’s theatreland, discussing the impact of Jewish actors, producers, writers and performers on the West End Stage.
11am. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 23 July
Guided Walk Jewish Communal Leaders
From Chief Rabbis to philanthropists, discover the remarkable stories of Jewish leaders who’ve been laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. This 90-minute walking tour focuses on how these influential people left their mark on the modern British Jewish experience.
11am. £10. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Sunday 26 July
Artists and their World
See the burial sites of Jewish creatives who managed to make their mark on the art world in the 1900s in this guided walk. As well as the grave of Mark Gertler, remembered for The Merry-Go-Round and Pre-Raphaelite Simeon Solomon, noted for his depictions of Jewish life, major collectors and dealers were laid to rest in the cemetery.
2pm. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Monday 14 September
Everyday Histories from Willesden Jewish Cemetery
Discover the stories of some of the familiar and lesser-known Jewish people who’ve been laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery in this Heritage Open Day walk. Hear about their contributions into British Jewry and heritage and explore the remarkable architecture of the grounds.
11am. FREE. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Wednesday 23 September
Radicals to Rinkoffs: Whitechapel
Blue Badge guide Rachel Kolsky and Esther Rinkoff (of the Rinkoff baking dynasty) explore Jewish Whitechapel, including synagogues, revolutionaries and Boris the photographer. They also reveal the story behind Rinkoff’s (founded in 1911), the only surviving Jewish family-owned bakery in Whitechapel.
10.30am. £20. East London meeting point provided upon booking. www.golondontours.com
WALKS
WORKSHOPS
Until Wednesday 24 June
Philosophy of Possibilities and Jewish Thought Today
Lecturer Daniel Weizman (City Lit and the Mary Ward Centre) presents a weekly course, exploring Jewish ideas of hospitality, minority and community within contemporary politics, drawing on the works of philosophers Jacques Derrida, Gilles Deleuze and Jean-Luc Nancy. Discover how their ideas resonate with and challenge Jewish thoughts on exile and coexistence.
7pm. £72, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Until Thursday 2 July
Modern Jewish Literature
Explore writings of the Jewish East End, focusing on the plays of Arnold Wesker, poetry and prose of Emanuel Litvinoff and the impact of short stories by writers including Isaac Babel and Grace Paley. Hosted by artist and teacher Naomi Grant and featuring JR’s executive director Dr Aviva Dautch (4 June), who’ll discuss the winner of the 2026 Wingate Prize.
10.30am. £162, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6WT. www.jw3.org.uk
until Monday 13 July
What on Earth is Peace on Earth?
Learn how ancient wisdom can help us respond to contemporary conflicts in this weekly course, led by academic Angela Gluck. By looking into the wisdom of Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions, discover the different concepts of peace and how it manifests – or doesn’t – in various levels of society.
10.30am. £180. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Until Tuesday 14 July
The Art of 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 in these weekly sessions.
11am. £180. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 12 July
Bagel and Summer Cooking
Enjoy an afternoon making homemade bagels with sweet and savoury toppings and salads with vegetables harvested from the garden. Participants are invited to share baking tips and recipes, before sitting down together to sample what’s been made in the session. Led by Israeli chef Karyn.
3pm. From £20, £15 concs. Golders Green location provided upon booking. www.jvs.org.uk
Monday 17 – Friday 21 August
Yiddish Summer School
Explore all strands of Yiddish creativity in a week-long summer work shop, led by Sima Beeri, Osian Evans Sharma and Tamara Micner. The programme features Yiddish language classes for all levels, klezmer workshops, poetry readings, talks on history and literature, song and puppetry workshops.
Times, price and North West London location tbc. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdps79EZad7NTRsyrGrISBqGckws7QpZ-M7w9rlym5spSlzYw/viewform
Friday 28 – Monday 31 August
Yiddish Culture Weekend
Widen your knowledge of Yiddish language and culture in this four-day workshop with a programme suitable for all ages and levels. Explore the lost Jewish language through talks, concerts, klezmer jam sessions, dance, film, poetry and more. Highlights of the weekend include a lecture and screening of The Dybbuk; a session focusing on contemporary Yiddish poetry; and the chance to encounter original artefacts from London’s Jewish East End.
Times and London locations vary. From £45. www.jmi.org.uk
Monday 21 September – Saturday 4 October
Sadeh Farm Sukkot Immersive
Gain agricultural knowledge in this hands-on, two-week immersive experience, rooted in Jewish traditions, with activities ranging from planting crops to caring for chickens. Participants are invited to explore the natural world while learning about the historical and spiritual significance of Sukkot by preparing the structure for the farm’s sukkah, lulav (closed frond from a date palm tree) and etrog (Israeli citron).
Price TBC. Sadeh Farm, BR6 7QA. www.sadehfarm.co.uk