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).
5-16 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
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
Wednesday 30 July
German Jewish Life Writing in the Aftermath of the Holocaust
Helen Finch discusses her new book with Dr Anna Hájková (University of Warwick). German Jewish Life Writing in the Aftermath of the Holocaust looks at four authors – HG Adler, Fred Wander, Edgar Hilsenrath and Ruth Klüger – and how they pursued literary careers in a postwar society. She analyses their works, which touch on their various struggles, written between the early 1950s and 2015.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Sunday 24 August
A Particularly Nasty Case: A Murderously Funny Evening with Adam Kay
Bafta-winning Jewish comic and former NHS staffer Adam Kay became a household name after his debut best-seller, This is Going to Hurt, was adapted into a hit BBC drama starring Ben Whishaw. Compiled from diary entries he made while working as junior doctor, the book (as well as its follow-up Undoctored) told everyday stories that were as gut-clenchingly funny as they were gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking. Now he presents A Particularly Nasty Case, his first work of fiction, a murder mystery inspired by his medical history – and highly humorous to boot. Discover more about it in this evening of anecdotes, insights and readings, followed by a Q&A.
7pm. £34.50. Churchill Theatre, BR1 1HA. www.adamkay.co.uk
Thursday 4 September
Hitler’s People: The Faces of the Third Reich
Historian Sir Richard J Evans presents his new book, which provides a new perspective on the faces behind the Third Reich. Hitler’s People considers the Nazi perpetrators not as psychopaths and criminals, but as human beings who disturbingly struck similarities to civilians until they lost their moral compasses. Evans takes a deep dive into what made these men and women support Hitler and the circumstances that led them to their radical positions. Followed by a Q&A and a private viewing of Churchill War Rooms.
6.30pm. £20. Churchill War Rooms, SW1A 2AQ. www.iwm.org.uk
Tuesday 9 September
The Traitors Circle
Jonathan Freedland discusses his upcoming book with journalist Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE. The Traitors Circle tells the true story of a German high society group who secretly conspired against Nazi rule. Comprising army officers, government officials, countesses, an ambassador’s widow and a former model, they hid and rescued Jews and plotted to free their country from occupation. One member, however, betrayed the circle to the Gestapo, leading the others down a trail of mystery as to who.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.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
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
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
Thursday 24 July
Michael Shafar: Inappropriate
The Aussie Jewish comedian is double-dipping this season. Not only is he performing last year’s sell-out show Well Worth the Chemo (9.30pm at Kick Ass Cowgate), a darkly humorous take on losing a testicle, he’s got a new set on the go. As the title suggests, Inappropriate isn’t for the faint-hearted. Shafar will be tackling the hard topics, from abortion rights to assassinating politicians to the Middle East – and this is coming from the man who compared the Queen to Hitler. You have been warned.
6pm. Prices vary. The Top Secret Comedy Club, WC2B 5PD. www.michaelshafar.com
Thursday 24 July
Tova Leigh: Honey, I'm Losing It!
What is the secret to a healthy marriage? Tova Leigh, bestselling Israeli author and comic thinks she has the answer. Her stand-up show leaves nothing to the imagination, delving into taboo topics such as c-section shelves and the death of her libido.
8pm. From £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
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 10 August
Family Disco on the Beach
Ilana Banana presents the Lanaland Family Disco, where little ones are invited to boogie away on the JW3 beach. As well as jumping and jiving, kids can enjoy crafting, bubbles and some book giveaways from PJ Library.
11.30am. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 20 – Friday 22 August
Klezfest
Celebrate the soulful and traditional Jewish music from 19th-century Eastern Europe in this three-day event. The jam-packed programme features a workshop with the Yiddish Choir, a lively jam session and lots of opportunities to learn, play, sing, dance and connect. Hosted by the Jewish Music Institute.
From 10am. £125.00–£225.00. SOAS University, Thornhaugh Street, WC1H 0XG. www.jmi.org.uk
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
family
until Thursday 24 July
Waltz with Bashir
A 19-year-old infantry soldier is looking for answers. He witnessed the Sabra and Shatila massacre, where thousands of civilians were killed in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War, but he can’t remember the events. Written by and starring Israeli filmmaker Ari Folman, this autobiographical animated film follows the soldier as he seeks a psychologist specialising in PTSD and a journalist that covered the horrific events in the hope of jogging his memory.
7.30pm (Mon-Thu), 5pm (Sun only). From £9. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 4 September
October 8
Explore how antisemitism has entrenched itself within American college campuses following 7 October. Wendy Sachs’s film looks at how hatred towards Jews has developed, not just in the past two years, but over several decades, and considers the role that social media, propaganda, disinformation and international performers play in influencing society. Followed by a Q&A with the producers.
7.30pm. £15. 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
THEATRE
Until Saturday 2 August
Giant
After a sold-out run at the Royal Court Theatre, Mark Rosenblatt’s debut play Giant transfers to the West End. It’s the summer of 1983 and renowned children’s author Roald Dahl is set to release his latest book, The Witches. If only the public outrage over his recent antisemitic comments would disappear. Should he make a public apology or risk his name and reputation? An unexpectedly explosive confrontation at his family home may just force him to choose. Based on real-life events, Giant deals with the problematic issues of fame and rhetoric with dark humour. Starring Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow and Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey. Directed by Nicholas Hytner. Read more about Giant in the Summer 2024 issue of JR.
7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat only). Prices TBC. Harold Pinter Theatre, SW1Y 4DN. www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk
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 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
Friday 29 August – 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
Tuesday 9 September – 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
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 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
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
Until Thursday 31 July
Hebrew Language for Beginners
Whether you have Jewish heritage or simply a love for languages, discover the magic of Hebrew in this course designed specifically for beginners.
8pm. £35 per session. 15 Kidderpore Avenue, NW3 7SJ. www.spiroark.org
until Friday 15 August
Sadeh Farm Summer Fellowship
This immersive four-week fellowship gives participants significant responsibility at Sadeh Farm, equipping them with skills in food growing and preserving, land management and animal care. By integrating farming with Jewish values, traditions and rituals, fellows are invited to explore the links between supervising the land and giving others equal opportunities.
Times vary. Price TBC. Sadeh Farm, BR6 7QA. www.sadehfarm.co.uk
Sunday 18 – Friday 23 August
Golden Peacock: Sing Yiddish
Shura Lipovsky – Yiddish singer, teacher and artistic director of Golden Peacock leads this course for singers wishing to deepen their knowledge of Yiddish music. Participants will focus on music theory, range, roots and. There will also be a communal dancing session with both Klezfest and Golden Peacock students. This is one of the only opportunities in the UK to immerse yourself in the world of Yiddish song with like-minded people from different backgrounds. Hosted by the Jewish Music Institute.
10am-6pm. £165-£260. SOAS University of London, WC1H 0XG. www.jmi.org.uk
Sunday 17 – Friday 22 August
Ot Azoy! Learn Yiddish
The Jewish Music Institute presents fully immersive classes in Yiddish language, song and culture for all levels and backgrounds. International Yiddish expert Dr Khayele Beer leads the course, while head of faculty Shura Lipovsky leads daily sessions in Yiddish song.
Times vary. £175-£290. SOAS University of London, WC1H 0XG. www.jmi.org.uk
Wednesday 20 – Friday 22 August
Klezfest
Celebrate the soulful and traditional Jewish music from 19th-century Eastern Europe in this three-day event. The jam-packed programme features a workshop with the Yiddish Choir, a lively jam session and lots of opportunities to learn, play, sing, dance and connect. Hosted by the Jewish Music Institute.
From 10am. £125.00–£225.00. SOAS University, Thornhaugh Street, WC1H 0XG. www.jmi.org.uk
Wednesday 27 – Thursday 28 August
JMI Youth Big Band Summer Workshop
Young musicians (aged 11-19) with a passion for making music are invited to this two-day workshop. Participants will learn to play original pieces, perform as part of a large ensemble, improvise and solo, all while utilising Jewish modes and scales. Sam Eastmond, musician and founder of the JMI Youth Big Band, leads the course.
10am. From £81. Vortex Jazz Club, N16 8AZ. www.jmi.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