LONDON
ART
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
Barbican Centre
Revealing London’s Forgotten Medieval Jewish Cemetery
Housed beneath the grounds of the Barbican Centre is the UK’s oldest Jewish cemetery, dating back to 1070. The Jewish Square Mile Project presents this new exhibition as an extension of their work, which revives the medieval history of London’s Jews. Displayed in St Giles Cripplegate Church within the grounds, visitors can see artefacts and other materials that shine a light on the diverse group of people who once lived and worked in the capital. Explore further on our walking tour Medieval England and The Jewish Square Mile (15 July).
Until 16 September
EC2Y 8DS. 020 7638 4141. www.barbican.org.uk
Ben Uri
Paula Rego
One of the most significant figurative artists of her generation, Portuguese creative Paula Rego used her provocative works to draw on childhood memories, feminist themes and political events reflecting her Portuguese roots and the broader human condition. This exhibition offers a tribute to her legacy and cements her status as a modern master.
Until 24 October
US to UK: The American Contribution to 20th-Century British Art
A selection of works tracing the journeys of Jewish artists from the US to the UK. This is Ben Uri’s second installation of the initiative, US: From There to Here, which uses artwork to document the contribution of migrants to British art.
17 September - 31 October
Katerina Wilczyński: Berlin, Rome, Paris, London
For the first time in 40 years, the works of 20th-century painter, printmaker and illustrator Katerina Wilczyński are on display in London and digitally on the Ben Uri website. The exhibition chronicles the Polish artist’s travels through Berlin, Paris, Rome and London; her work disclosing themes of mythology, Mediterranean life and war-torn Europe. After emigrating from Rome to London in 1939, Wilczyński drew the capital in its damaged, post-Blitz state and ended up becoming an integral part of the city’s émigré art scene. These pieces, some of which are being exhibited for the first time, are available to view and purchase.
12 November – 19 December
NW8 0RH. 020 7604 3991. www.benuri.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, during her time in the UK, moonlighted as a spy-handler for the Soviets. It’s thought that she worked with the Cambridge Five – and recruited one of its most famous members, Kim Philby – 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 these Isokon photographs.
Until 26 October 2025
NW3 2XD. www.isokongallery.co.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, who have been both on the field and behind the scenes, have not only represented their countries, but 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 was based on a well-worn photo that the donor’s great-grandmother used to carry with her and the artwork was commissioned by her husband, 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.
No end date specified
E2 8EA. 020 7739 9893. www.museumofthehome.org.uk
O2 Centre
Always Changing. Always Welcoming
The derelict building site beside Finchley Road’s O2 Centre has been transformed into a powerful open-air art exhibition curated by the Ben Uri Gallery and Museum. Works by refugee and immigrant artists who lived and worked in the city are displayed, celebrating their contribution to British culture, reflecting on the diverse histories, identities and experiences that have shaped the capital. The creatives featured include Jewish textile designer Elisabeth Tomalin, who fled Nazi Germany in 1936.
Until 31 December
NW3 6LU. 020 7604 3991. www.benuri.org
Park Lane
Visitor V
British Jewish artist David Breuer-Weil’s new installation, featuring two resin-bronze feet sticking upwards out of the ground, explores the theme of ‘outsiders’. Located opposite the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane, Visitor V represents a person ‘crash-landed’, having arrived from a distant land and culture. This follows his 2023 sculpture SISTER, in tribute to his sibling. Read more about SISTER on the JR blog.
Until December
W1K 1QA. www.davidbreuerweil.com
Royal Academy of Art
Kiefer / Van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh had an enduring influence on painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer, whose work often addresses post-war Germany’s reckoning with the Holocaust. See works by both artists side by side and examine traces of van Gogh’s technique in Kiefer’s pieces, which draw on history, mythology, literature, philosophy and science.
Until 26 October
W1J 0BD. www.royalacademy.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
Wiener Holocaust Library
She Still had to Endure: Treating Illness and Injury in the Post-War Displaced Persons Camp
This exhibition explores the physical aftermath for liberated prisoners of concentration camps, many of whom suffered from injuries and illnesses as a result of Nazi persecution. See how humanitarian aid organisations united to create hospitals and care for those held in Displaced Persons caps after World War II.
Until 12 September
Looted: Two Families, Nazi Theft and the Search for Restitution
Explore seemingly ordinary objects with extraordinary histories in this exhibition. Following the Anschluss (the German invasion of Austria), many Jews fled from Nazi persecution, and most had their belongings forcibly stolen. One family, the Wertheimers, saw their possessions go to their pro-Nazi neighbours, the Kaltenhausers. Decades later, Katharina Mayrhofer – a descendant of the Kaltenhausers – united with Helen Emily Davy – an ancestor of the Wertheimers – over a table found in Mayrhofer’s attic. The two embarked on a project of restitution and restoration, examining how the next generation of Holocaust victims and National Socialist followers can share difficult memories. The result is a display focusing on the extensive looting and theft that European Jews experienced between 1938 and 1945.
Until 10 October
WC1B 5DP. 020 7636 7247. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
Tuesday 16 September
My Sister and Other Lovers
Esther Freud celebrates the launch of her new book, My Sister and Other Lovers. The autobiographical novel looks at the relationship between two sisters and their mother against a backdrop of heartbreak, addiction, secrets and adventure. Freud will be in conversation with JR’s executive director Dr Aviva Dautch, followed by a book signing.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 17 September
Rosh Hashannah Open Mic Poetry Afternoon
Jewish Poetry Society co-founder Judy Karbritz hosts an informal afternoon of poetry. Participants are invited to share their original pieces or favourite works based on the themes of renewal, forgiveness and hope.
Time TBC. £7. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 25 September
The Sword of Freedom
Yossi Cohen, former director of Israel’s national intelligence agency Mossad, launches his new book. The Sword of Freedom reveals how Israel defied existential threats, transforming itself from a vulnerable state to a global power, and features personal stories of his own experiences. Cohen served Mossad for over 40 years and led missions, including stealing Iran’s nuclear archive in 2018, and the strikes against Hezbollah and Iran. He appears in conversation with journalist Jake Wallis Simons.
7pm. From £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 16 October
Jews in Wartime France
Hear from the authors of two books that reveal the experiences of Jewish women in Nazi-occupied France. Rosie Whitehouse wrote Two Sisters, the true story of her mother-in-law and her sister, who narrowly escaped the Vichy regime following their mother’s deportation to Auschwitz. In Ninette’s War, John Jay puts Ninette Dreyfus’s dramatic fall from grace to paper, using her diary entries to trace her escape from Paris.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Saturday 18 October
Yiddish Poetry of the East End
Writers Rachel Lichtenstein and Stephen Watts revive the work of Yiddish poet AN Stencl and discuss a lesser-known part of his life. They will perform some of his pieces as part of VOICED: The Festival for Endangered Languages (16-18 Oct), which celebrates artists by using dialects that are falling out of common parlance.
3pm. From £15. The Pit, Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS. www.barbican.org.uk
Sunday 19 October
Abraham: The First Jew
Anthony Julius’s new book shines a light on one of the foundational Jewish figures. Abraham: The First Jew touches on the Akedah (The Binding) – the biblical story of God commanding Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac in order to receive a miracle – and the unresolvable, overwhelming crisis this provoked. Julius discusses his work with Rabbi Michael Pollak (Yad Vashem UK), exploring the underlying struggles of scepticism, faith, autonomy and dependence hidden within the early days of Judaism. Followed by a Q&A and book signing.
7.30pm. £20. Location provided upon booking. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1473584373529
Wednesday 22 October
Jewish Nonagenarians: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives
Lawrence Collins discusses his latest book. Jewish Nonagenarians: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives gives insight into the stories of 12 Jewish people in their 90s, which include persecution, Kindertransport journeys and acts of survival and resilience.
2pm. £12.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 30 October
Noshtalgia: The Bloom’s Story 1921-2010
Take a culinary trip down memory lane in Pam Fox’s newest book Noshtalgia, focusing on England’s longest-standing kosher restaurant, Bloom’s. Enjoy hearing about the history of Morris Bloom’s eatery, with a side of memories and anecdotes. Refreshments included.
7.30pm. £12. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 5 November
Abraham: The First Jew
Anthony Julius’s new book shines a light on one of the foundational Jewish figures. Abraham: The First Jew touches on the Akedah (The Binding) – the biblical story of God commanding Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac in order to receive a miracle – and the unresolvable, overwhelming crisis this provoked. Julius discusses his work with Rabbi Michael Pollak (Yad Vashem UK), exploring the underlying struggles with scepticism, faith, autonomy and dependence hidden within the early days of Judaism. Followed by a Q&A and book signing.
6pm. FREE. ONLINE & University College London, WC1E 6BT. www.ucl.ac.uk
Tuesday 18 November
Licoricia of Winchester: Power & Prejudice in Medieval England
Join Rebecca Abrams to discuss her book, which looks at one of Winchester’s most successful Jewish moneylenders. Licoricia of Winchester: Power and Prejudice in Medieval England explores the female financier’s career, close relationship with King Henry III and Queen Eleanor, and the antisemitism she experienced before she was murdered at home in 1277.
7.30pm. £10. London location provided upon booking. www.jhse.org
Thursday 27 November
Women, Resistance and Survival in Wartime France
Hear from the authors of two books that reveal the experiences of Jewish women in Nazi-occupied France. Rosie Whitehouse wrote Two Sisters, the true story of her mother-in-law and her sister who narrowly escaped the Vichy regime following their mother’s deportation to Auschwitz. In Ninette’s War, John Jay puts Ninette Dreyfus’s dramatic fall from grace on paper, using her diary entries to trace her escape from Paris.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
BOOKS & POETRY
Tuesday 18 November
Mark Maier: Jewvenile
Award-winning comedian Mark Maier hits the JW3 stage with a new stand-up show. As the title suggests, Jewvenile tackles all things Jew-ish, from customs and traditions, to food, relationships and death.
7.30pm. £18. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
COMEDY
Sunday 14 September
Islington Torah Inauguration
Chabad Islington is celebrating the inauguration of a new Torah dedicated in memory of Jewish lawyer and human rights activist Julian Young. The scroll will be paraded through the streets in a grand procession complete with music and festivities, followed by a feast. Those who wish to write the final letters into the Torah using a quill and ink can do so for an additional cost of £180.
11am. FREE. Chabad Islington, N1 8HX. www.jewishislington.co.uk
Saturday 11 October
Sky-High Sukkah
Children are invited to create a 3D pop-up book for Sukkot, inspired by PJ Library’s story Sky-High Sukkah, in which a group of neighbours build a Sukkah on the roof of their block of flats.
1.30pm. £20. Westminster Synagogue, SW7 1BX. www.westminstersynagogue.org
Sunday 30 November
Chanukkah Funukkah
The family extravaganza returns with activities for all ages including arts and crafts, a dance party and interactive storytelling.
2pm. £10, £12 children, under 2s free. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 14 December
Community Chanukah Celebrations
Westminster Synagogue hosts an afternoon of Chanukah activities for all ages, featuring an array of treats.
2pm. FREE. Westminster Synagogue, SW7 1BX. www.westminstersynagogue.org
Sunday 14 December
Islington Menorah Lighting
Bring in Chanukkah 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.
5pm. FREE. Islington Green, N1 8DU. www.jewishislington.co.uk
family
Thursday 11 September
Holding Liat
Liat Beinin Atzili and her husband Aviv were abducted to Gaza on 7 October, after their kibbutz was invaded by Hamas. Aviv was murdered and Liat was held hostage for 54 days, all the while her Israeli-American family campaigned for her release. Throughout this time, director and Liat’s distant relative Brandon Kramer documented as much as he could of the ordeal. Holding Liat tells their story. This screening will be the UK premiere of the film, which won Best Documentary at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival.
7pm. £17.50. Phoenix Cinema, N2 9PJ. https://ukjewishfilm.org
Sunday 19 October
Hester Street
Jewish filmmaker Joan Micklin Silver made her big-screen debut with Hester Street. This restored 4K version of the film, shown in commemoration of its 50th anniversary, focuses on Gitl, a young Orthodox Jewish woman who travels to America to reunite with her husband. Shortly after her arrival, she discovers that he has adopted a new identity, one that clashes with their original culture and traditions. Followed by a Q&A with Dr Julia Wagner, author of the upcoming book of the same title.
7pm. £16.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 4 December
Levi: Screening & Discussion
In this film, podcaster Eli Hassell highlights the mental health issues prevalent in the community of young Orthodox Jews who are under pressure to conform and succeed. Levi, named after its title character, follows his journey upon returning home from studying at a yeshiva (an extremely religious institution). Desperately unhappy and unable to communicate his emotions to his family, he loses hope for life. Following the screening, Hassell is joined by professionals from The Jewish Association for Mental Illness (JAMI) and other psychologists for a Q&A.
7.30pm. £12.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
FILM AND TV
MUSIC
Tuesday 30 September – Wednesday 4 March
The Classical Music Series
JW3’s Classical Music Series returns for a third season, showcasing some of the best artists from around the world. The performances start with pianist Dame Imogen Cooper (30 Sep), followed by vocalist Helen Charlston, who’ll sing alongside string musicians Sergio Bucheli and Jonathan Manson (30 Oct); and the third concert features a Four Hands recital by Mishka Rushdie Momen and Alasdair Beatson sharing a piano (16 Nov). The 2026 programme features the Fibonacci Quartet (15 Jan), a piano trio repertoire (12 Feb) and a classical string quartet accompanied by a viola (4 Mar).
7.30pm. £33, £16.50 concs. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 23 October
Liza Pulman Sings Streisand
Following its previous sold-out runs, singer and comedian Liza Pulman returns with her intimate tribute to Barbra Streisand. Accompanied by a live band, the London singer and actor celebrates Babs with fascinating anecdotes, stories about her own Jewish heritage and, of course, iconic songs, including ‘The Way We Were’ and ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade.
7.30pm. £26. Arts Depot, N12 0GA. www.lizapulman.com
Wednesday 5 November
A World Turned Upside Down: The Diary of Anne Frank
Composer Juliana Hall presents an operatic response to Anne Frank’s diary, which to this day is one of the most well-known personal accounts of the Holocaust. A World Turned Upside Down brings Frank’s testimony to life, capturing the journal’s themes of confinement, change and aspiration in song.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 9 November
Celebrating Jerry Herman
West End actors celebrate the life and legacy of Jewish American composer and songwriter Jerry Herman in an evening of live music. The late lyricist was behind the soundtracks of many well-known shows including Hello Dolly and La Cage Aux Folles.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 11 November
George Gershwin: A Songwriter’s Rhapsody
Jewish composer and pianist George Gershwin has a seminal back catalogue, including the piano-led piece ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and the song ‘'S Wonderful’ from the Broadway musical Funny Face. Film expert George McGhee honours the late musician, exploring his extraordinary life, career and contribution to the Great American Songbook.
2pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
TALKS
Thursday 18 September
Philip Guston: Don't Smoke in Bed
Jewish American artist Philip Guston was known for his shift from abstract expressionism to his unique, figurative style. Painter Michael Ajerman discusses the complexities behind the late creative, who often incorporated controversial social commentary in his works.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 18 September
An Evening with Sir Richard Dearlove KCMG OBE
Former head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove KCMG OBE appears in conversation, hosted by the UK Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists. His career spanned the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, 9/11 and the Real Irish Republican Army’s terror attack on the Secret Intelligence Services headquarters.
6.30pm. From £5. London location provided upon booking. www.jewishlawyers.co.uk
Sunday 5 October
Testimony and History: The Edut 710 Archive
Discover the importance of historical testimony with a panel of documentarians, historians, witnesses and survivors of the 7 October attacks. Edut 710 is a volunteer-run initiative comprising a sprawling video database that documents the personal stories and experiences of those who lived through the massacre. To date, they’ve collected 2,000 testimonies.
6pm. £12. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 21 October
Everything We Lost is in My Heart
This multifaceted talk incorporating personal stories, film and music explores what Jews lost when the Nazis came into power. After being stripped of their rights, livelihoods and identities, Jewish people were subject to theft of property. This discussion uncovers the emotional and cultural weight of what was taken, what was left, and what it means to live in the aftermath.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 22 October
Artists' Responses to 7th October
Three British artists discuss how they use creativity as a healing process following 7 October. Speakers on the night will be Caren Garfen, an award-winning artist specialising in hand stitching, cartoonist Zoom Rockman and musician and illustrator Carol Isaacs.
7.30pm. £12.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 28 October
Can the West Pull Back from the Brink?
Join Jewish journalist Jake Wallis Simons and former army official Andrew Fox for the first-ever live recording of their podcast, The Brink. They’re joined by British Friends of Israel founder Allison Pearson to discuss how the Western world could respond to Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions following 7 October.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 3 November
The Legacy of Yitzhak Rabin: 30 Years On
Thirty years on from Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, historian Paula Kitching discusses the legacy of Israel’s former prime minister, who made it his life’s mission to fight for peace.
7.15pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 4 November
The 14th Annual Litvak Day
To mark 100 years of the Yiddish Scientific Institute for Jewish Research (YIVO), a panel discusses the rich cultural legacy of Lithuanian Jews. Established in Vilnius and currently operating in New York, YIVO is the centre of a global network of scholars and support groups. Speakers include Dr Lara Lempertienė (Judaica Research Centre of Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania) and Dr William Pimlott (researcher at the Birbeck Institute Study of Antisemitism).
6pm. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 5 November
Israel and the Middle East: 2026 Outlook
Political analyst Jonathan Paris provides expert insight into the geopolitical challenges Israel faces approaching 2026. This thought-provoking talk analyses the long-term implications of the current conflict and the role of global powers, examining key trends into the state’s future within the Middle East.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 6 November
Eva Reichmann: Witness, Historian, Legacy
The pioneering work of Dr Eva Reichmann, former director at The Wiener Holocaust Library, continues to shape the understanding of Nazi persecution and Holocaust history to this day. A panel of scholars discuss the Jewish historian and sociologist’s life, work and impact on WWII research as part of the Leo Baeck Institute’s 70th anniversary commemorations. Followed by a Q&A.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 6 November
Kristallnacht Commemoration
In memory of the 87th anniversary of Kristallnacht, known as the Night of Broken Glass, journalist and academic Jon Silverman discusses how the world responded to such horror. He looks the consequences of the Holocaust in the immediate post-war period up until today.
7pm. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 9 November
Natasha Kaplinsky OBE in Conversation with the Rt Hon Lord Pickles
An evening of discussion between journalist Natasha Kaplinsky OBE and the Right Honourable Lord Eric Pickles, both of whom have significantly contributed to Holocaust memorial and education. Guests can also enjoy a fish and chip dinner and a raffle, the first prize of which is an afternoon tea at the House of Lords with Lord Pickles and Lord Polak, honorary president of the Conservative Friends of Israel.
7pm. From £35. London location provided upon booking. www.jewishcare.org
Monday 10 November
Rabbi Baroness Neuberger DBE & The Very Reverend Dr Hoyle KCVO MBE
Hear about the personal journeys of two major figures in British Judaism and Christianity. Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger was the second woman to be ordained as a rabbi in the UK and first to lead a synagogue. Dr David Hoyle is the 39th Dean of Westminster and conducted the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. They’ll be discussing the connections between their traditions, and how cross-cultural collaborations and values have shaped their paths.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 13 November
Ben Uri’s 110th Anniversary
David Glasser, chief executive of Ben Uri Gallery and Museum, marks 110 years of the institution with a discussion about its past, present and future. The museum specialises in the curation of Jewish, refugee and immigrant art, some of which participants can see on a tour of their upcoming exhibition dedicated to the works of 20th-century painter, printmaker and illustrator Katerina Wilczyński (see art listings for more info).
6.30pm. FREE. Ben Uri Gallery and Museum, NW8 0RH. www.bnaibrithuk.org
Thursday 20 November
An Evening to Mark the Departure and Exodus of Jews from Arab Countries and Iran
Ciara Shalome (@TheMizrahistory on Instagram) is joined by the band Eastern Beats to commemorate the Jewish exodus from the 11 Middle Eastern countries they were forced to flee. This annual celebration also coincides with the 20th anniversary of Harif, a charity representing Jews from North Africa and the Middle East.
7pm. £10. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 24 November
The Forgotten Army: VJ Day Memorial
Martin Sugarman (The Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women) discusses the Jewish military personnel who served in the far east during World War II in this VJ (Victory over Japan) Day commemoration. An often-overlooked chapter in both Jewish and Commonwealth history, the environmental and mentally challenging conditions made fighting in the region extremely tough. Hear about the 600 Jews who became prisoners of war, those who survived and what that meant for their identities thereafter.
7.45pm. £5. Chigwell & Hainault Synagogue, IG7 5NT. www.jhse.org
Saturday 29 November
Cohen, Bernstein, Joni & Me! (I Know All Their Songs)
New Zealand Jewish (Kibrew, as she calls it) singer-songwriter Deb Filler presents her one-woman show, in which she embarks on a quest for success and happiness in a business all too familiar with failure. Named after the musicians she meets by chance along the way, hear how she was the only audience member in a performance by conductor Leonard Bernstein; developed a lifelong friendship with artist Leonard Cohen when she was selected to be his driver; and even managed to get backstage at a Joni Mitchell concert.
7.30pm. From £19. Arts Depot, N12 0GA. www.artsdepot.co.uk
Wednesday 10 December
The Massacre of Jews at York 1190
Historian Jill Stern discusses the 1190 York Massacre, where more than 100 Jews were besieged and murdered in York Castle. The carnage was part of a wave of anti-Jewish violence sweeping across England at the time.
11am. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 21 January – Saturday 1 February
Cohen, Bernstein, Joni & Me! (I Know All Their Songs)
Please see above for details.
7.30pm. £25. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, N6 4BD. www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
THEATRE
Until Saturday 13 September
Deaf Republic
In a time of political unrest in an unnamed occupied territory, a deaf boy is murdered amidst the chaos of a protest. Unbeknownst to the locals, the gunshot that killed him will be the last thing they ever hear. Thus unfurls the story of a community adapting to a life of silence in a world devastated by war. Adapted from a poetry collection by Jewish Ukrainian-American writer Ilya Kaminsky, Deaf Republic makes its world premiere on the Royal Court stage this season. The unique performance features deaf and hearing actors, as well as aerialists, puppetry and poetry, and is told through a combination of speech, British Sign Language (BSL) and captions in English. Produced by Irish theatre company Dead Centre and Sign Language poet Zoë McWhinney. Read more about Deaf Republic in the Summer 2025 issue of JR.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu only), 1.30pm & 6.30pm (Sat only). £15-£64. Royal Court Theatre, SW1W 8AS. www.royalcourttheatre.com
Until Saturday 20 September
Brigadoon
Playwright Rona Munro revives Brigadoon, by lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and musician Frederick Loewe, the legendary duo behind My Fair Lady and Camelot. In its first London performance in 35 years, the enchanting stage at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre turns into the mysterious Scottish village, where two WWII fighter pilots crash land and search for a way home. They encounter the locals, including spirited sisters Fiona and Jean, who are preparing for a wedding, and their stories entwine.
7.45pm, 2.15pm (Thu & Sat only). From £19. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, NW1 4NU. www.openairtheatre.com
until Saturday 20 September
STOREHOUSE
Every news story, message, memory and meme ever transmitted across the internet is being meticulously catalogued by an underground collective. They believe that bringing together these ‘pieces’ of humanity will reveal a “higher, universal truth”. But there’s only so much one gargantuan warehouse can hold and the digital narratives are beginning to compete with each other. How will the collective safeguard the mission and decide what to save, rewrite or delete? This unique immersive theatre venture comes from the team behind Sage & Jester, an arts company that “questions truth” and promotes critical thinking through “stories, laughter and immersive experiences”. It was set up by Georgian Jewish former TV exec Liana Patarkatsishvili, daughter of the late business tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili, an ardent philanthropist and founder of Georgia’s first independent broadcasting station. The irony that it’s taking place in the gargantuan warehouse that previously printed Rupert Murdoch’s The Sun, The Times and now defunct News of the World, is no accident: STOREHOUSE intends to have you questioning the role of misinformation in today’s world.
Times vary. From £27.50. Deptford Storehouse, SE8 3AA. www.sageandjester.com
Until Saturday 20 September
Brigadoon
Playwright Rona Munro revives the mysterious musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, the renowned Jewish team behind My Fair Lady and Camelot. In its first London performance in 35 years, the enchanting stage at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre morphs into the fictitious Scottish village of Brigadoon, where two WWII fighter pilots crash land. Read our review of Brigadoon on the JR blog.
7.45pm, 2.15pm (Thu & Sat only). From £19. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, NW1 4NU. www.openairtheatre.com
Until Sunday 28 September
Oliver!
Following its huge success at Chichester Festival Theatre last year, Lionel Bart’s musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel returns. 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.
7pm (Mon & Tues only), 7.30pm (Wed-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat only). From £65. Gielgud Theatre, W1D 6AR. www.oliverthemusical.com
Until Sunday 28 September
Dr Freud Will See You Now, Mrs Hitler
Award-winning Jewish writers Laurence Mark and Maurice Gran offer an alternative reality: what would've happened if Adolf Hitler had been treated by Sigmund Freud? At the tail-end of the 19th century, Mrs Hitler takes her young son to the doctor to discuss his nightmares and bedwetting. She's advised to take Adolf to a new clinic opened by Dr Freud in Vienna, where children with nervous disorders are being treated. Her abusive husband, however, won't hear of it. See how thw world would have turned out if one of the world’s greatest villains had been cured by one of the world’s greatest psychoanalysts.
7.30pm, 3pm (Sat only). £25. Upstairs at The Gatehouse, N6 4BD. www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
Until Saturday 1 November
The Land of the Living
David Lan’s new play focuses on Thomas, one of thousands of children stolen from Eastern Europe during World War II and raised as Aryan. He was cared for by Ruth, a UN relief worker, who was torn between trying to reunite him with a family he’s never known or keep him in the stable home that he’s used to. In 1990, Thomas visits Ruth in London and together the two unravel the past, bringing the difficult decisions Ruth made as a young woman back into question.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Wed & Sat only). From £40. National Theatre, National Theatre, SE1 9PX. www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Sunday 21 September
Steinberg v Steinberg
In an attempt to confront a lifetime of secrets, sisters Ayla and Evie stage a mock trial for their dying mother. But as tensions rise, a dybbuk (a malicious Jewish spirit) begins to stir in the darkness, clouding the line between justice and forgiveness. Set in 1980s New York, Annelise Bianchini’s new play weaves together family trauma, accusations of abuse, complicity and silence. This is a staged reading of the play, followed by a Q&A with the cast and creatives.
2pm, 6pm. £12. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 29 September – Sunday 11 October
Salome
Oscar Wilde’s 1891 play follows Jewish princess Salome, stepdaughter of ruler Herold Antipas. In this revival by director Maxim Didenko and Israel’s Gesher Theatre, Salome becomes infatuated with John the Baptist. When she’s rejected, she responds with a provocatively bold but deadly dance. This production explores whether the protagonist was merely a naïve girl, a defiant teenager, or in fact a dangerous seductress.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu 9 & Sat 11 Oct), 6pm (Sun 5 Oct). From £25. Theatre Royal Haymarket, SW1Y 4HT. www.trh.co.uk
Friday 17 October – Saturday 29 November
The Wanderers
Anna Ziegler’s new play follows the lives of two couples on very different but intertwining paths. Writers Abe and Sophie’s marriage, while loving, is marred with tension, rivalry and unresolved discontent. This is escalated when Abe receives an unexpected email from a movie star and he embarks on an increasingly risky journey to connect with them. In another time and place, young Orthodox Jews Esther and Schmuli find themselves in an arranged marriage after meeting only once. Esther feels suffocated by her religion and attempts to break away, jeopardising not only her family, but also the only way of life she’s ever known.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £22.75. Marylebone Theatre, NW1 6XT. www.marylebonetheatre.com
Wednesday 19 November
La Solitude
Jessica Walker’s recent show portrays the life and work of mononymed Jewish singer-songwriter Barbara. Born in Paris in 1930, Barbara survived World War II by hiding in the French countryside and became celebrated for the dark and complex emotions expressed in her music. Her most well-known hit, ‘L’Aigle Noir’, sold over a million copies in one day, and her untimely death in 1997 prompted a deluge of grief. La Solitude sees the performer grapple with her identity and reveals a devastating secret hidden in her lyrics.
7.30pm. £18. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 7 December – Sunday 4 January
Cinderella and the Matzo Ball
JW3’s winter pantomime returns, and this time it’s Cinderella’s turn to steal the limelight. Nick Cassenbaum’s creative team brings dazzling costumes, colourful sets and foot-tapping songs to the glittering stage for a magical family experience.
Times vary. From £27 (adult), from £17 (child). JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 14 September
Exploring Jewish and Victorian Cemetery Architecture and Heritage
All ages are invited to Willesden Jewish Cemetery to commemorate Heritage Open Day and Open House Festival, where locations across England celebrate the country’s rich history and culture. In the morning, there’s a family craft workshop, inspired by the lives, homes and places of worship of those laid to rest in the grounds. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk exploring Jewish and Victorian funerary art and its symbolism.
10.30am. FREE. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Sunday 19 October
Hampstead Architectural Walk
Jewish émigré artists contributed hugely to British Modernist construction. Find out more about their stories of innovation, identity and resilience with architect Ittai Frank, who leads this Hampstead walking tour. See buildings that reflect the impact Jewish immigrants have had on the city’s design.
12pm. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 28 October
Jewish West End
Renowned for being two of London’s most fashionable districts, Soho and Fitzrovia are also steeped in vast Jewish history. From poverty to luxury, hear about the Jews who existed in the West End in this guided walk, some involved in bitter rivalry, some who rebuilt their livelihoods following the Great Tailors’ Strike and much more.
10.30am. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 16 November
Soho Tour with a Jewish Twist
Explore the quirky streets of Soho and discover the stories throughout history of the Jews who frequented them. Hear about the street traders, tailors, musicians, theatre producers and hairdressers who contributed to the area’s eclectic Jewish past.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 20 November
Radicals to Rinkoffs
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. Attendees will receive 10 percent off on any purchases at the bakery after the tour.
10.30am. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.golondon.com
Tuesday 25 November
Jewish Theatreland
Blue Badge guide Rachel Kolsky leads a walk of London’s theatreland, discussing the impact Jewish actors, producers, writers and performers had on the West End stages.
11am. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
WALKS
WORKSHOPS
Thursday 16 October
Celebrating Five Years of Private Oy!
Ben and Tilla Crown mark the 5th anniversary of Private Oy!, the Jewish community’s take on satirical paper the Private Eye. Expect games, behind-the-scenes stories and special merchandise.
7.30pm. £10. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 20 October – Monday 15 December
The Making of the Modern Middle East: 1939-1950
Historian and writer Paula Kitching explores the divisions, territorial ambitions and rise of Arab nationalism within the Middle East between 1939 and 1950 in this weekly workshop.
11am. £162, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 27 October – Monday 15 December
A Family Affair? The Story of Jewish-Muslim Relations
Teacher Angela Gluck leads this weekly workshop, in which she discusses the evolving relationship between Muslims and Jews, which has been challenged over the years by geopolitical developments.
10.30am. £144. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 29 October – Wednesday 26 December
Tracing Your Jewish Family History
Genealogist Jeanette R Rosenberg OBE leads this fortnightly four-week course exploring how to trace Jewish ancestry. Participants will be taught how to find key resources and archives, work with family artefacts and explore methods for discovering and documenting family history.
7pm. £80, £22 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 5 November – Wednesday 10 December
The Kabbalah of Meaning
Discover Judaism’s approach to the purpose of life in this six-weekly course, where participants are taught to gain the tools to see a deeper meaning in the mundane, the exciting and the frightening times that shape them.
7.30pm. £80 (£27 concs). Chabad Lubavitch Islington Community Centre, N1 8HX. www.jewishislington.co.uk
Thursday 6 November
Israeli Wine Tasting
Tal Sunderland-Cohen, chairman of the UK’S Wine Guild, leads a two-hour masterclass showcasing some of his favourite Israeli wines.
7.30pm. £50. Westminster Synagogue, SW7 1BX. www.westminstersynagogue.org
Tuesday 9 December
Virtual Tour of Jewish Rome
Roman Jewish life dates back 2,200 years, with an extremely turbulent history. In this audio/visual ‘tour’, explore sites including the city’s magnificent Great Synagogue, the previously uninhabitable Jewish Ghetto and one of today’s highest-regarded restaurants, featuring an old mikveh (Jewish ritual bath) in its basement. Hear the stories of Rome’s non-Jewish nurse who saved Jews from the Nazis; artist Bernini, who secretly aided those suffering in the Ghetto; the wartime rabbi who conducted services while SS stormtroopers patrolled outside; and Medici Popes who sought advice from their Jewish counterparts.
2.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk