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
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’ reflects the artists, writers and thinkers who wanted to reconfigure language when arriving in their new homes, capturing artistically the experience of migration. This disruption is reflected in the artworks shown, which highlight the difficulties that came from navigating a new language. Explore pieces by Gustav Metzger, Samuel (Shmuel) Dresner, Alfred Lomnitz, Hugo Dachinger and more, each portraying the challenges of disrupted conventions in art, language and belonging from the pre- and post-war period.
14 May - 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.
12 June – 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.
14 May – 30 June
NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Kent House
Cosmic Melding: The Alignment of Kabbalah, Quantum Physics & Art
The artistic collaboration between British abstract creative Michèle Jaffé-Pearce and Danish scientist Wiktor Mazin is displayed, investigating the links between Jewish mysticism with quantum physics.
3-16 June
SW7 1BX. 020 7591 3838. www.kenthouseknightsbridge.org
The London Archives
Revealing the Medieval Jewish Cemetery
This exhibition brings medieval Jews into focus and explores the grounds beyond the Barbican, where the UK’s oldest Jewish cemetery lies. Presented by the Jewish Square Mile Foundation as part of Jewish Culture Month.
18 May – 13 June
EC1R 0HB. www.thelondonarchives.org
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 British artist Gillian Wearing’s series Me As…, depicting the artist as Andy Warhol, Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe and Claude Cahun. The four creatives featured have had a profound effect on Wearing’s practice and she’s named them her ‘spiritual family’.
Until 10 January
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.
16 June – 18 October
SE1 8XX. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
WIENER HOLOCAUST LIBRARY
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 system of forced work within concentration camps was lethal, with starvation, exhaustion, disease and abuse contributing to the deaths of 2.5 million people. Despite its scale, this exploitation remains one of the least understood aspects of the period. Through covert photographs, eyewitness testimonies and documents exposing the involvement of complicit companies, the exhibition highlights the financial gain, power and responsibility associated with this dark chapter of history.
20 May – 30 October
WC1B 5DP. 020 7636 7247. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
Thursday 21 May – Sunday 7 June
There is Sweet Music Here: The World of Wigmore Hall
Julia Boyd’s new book, which explores the 125-year evolution of Wigmore Hall and the artists and performances that feature in its rich history, is available to buy as part of the venue’s 125th anniversary festival (25 May-7 June), which features a series of concerts. The Edwardian building, which was designed by the same architect behind The Savoy hotel, was a sanctuary for German and Austrian Jewish musicians during WWII, and showcased music by banned composers including Gustav Mahler.
£25. Wigmore Hall, W1U 2BP. www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
Sunday 24 May
Artist Talk: Moses and the 613 Health and Safety Commandments
Miriam Elia presents her new book and exhibition (see art), which provides a Jewish satirical response to modern-day health and safety concerns. She’ll discuss her work with Liat Rosenthal, director of Jewish Culture Month.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 28 May
Homecoming and Survival: Jewish Life Stories and Return in Greece
Kateřina Králová appears in conversation with Professor Jay Prosser exploring the notion of returning home for Greek Jewish Holocaust survivors, as detailed in recent book. Homecoming and Survival: Jewish Life Stories and Return in Greece uses personal testimonies to highlight the difficulties endured by people displace during war, including going into hiding, fleeing persecution, deportation and being forced into labour camps.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 28 May
The Future Is Peace: A Shared Journey Across the Holy Land
Peace activists Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon launch their new book, which uncovers the mythic, political and personal history that divides but also binds them and their people. Both writers, who are Palestinian and Israeli, respectively, have lost family in the recent conflict and The Future is Peace: A Shared Journey Across the Holy Land, which is set over the course of a week, explores how compassion and unity can save humanity from the precipice of hatred. Read our review of The Future is Peace in the Spring 2026 issue of JR.
7.15pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 31 May
Celebrating Nina Salaman's Life and Poetry
Celebrate Jewish Culture Month with a poetry reading honouring the life and work of poet, translator and activist Nina Salaman, who has been laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Hear original poems, as well as her Hebrew translations, and visit her grave in this reflective event.
2pm. £5. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Thursday 4 June
Stolen Legacies: The Fight for Nazi-Looted Art
For those who had experienced persecution, deportation and the murder of loved ones during World War II, the post-war period was just the start of new struggles. Homes had been seized, businesses eradicated and treasured artwork looted across Europe. Adena J Bernstein, prosecutor and granddaughter of two Holocaust survivors, discusses the burden that restitution places on returning displaced people, as detailed in her recent book. Stolen Legacies: The Fight for Nazi-Looted Art features case studies and family stories that tell of the emotional, moral and legal battles that come as part of the recovery process.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 4 June
I Love Suburbia: The Joys of Life on London’s Outskirts
Discover the eclectic architecture of London’s suburbs, including synagogues and art deco and Bauhaus-style buildings with Simon Pollock, the man behind the Instagram account @LondonSuburbia. His first ever book pays homage to the often overlooked stories of the city’s people and buildings, from stations to cinemas to semi-detached houses.
7pm. FREE. Finchley Church End Library, N3 2LN. www.barnet-libraries.played.co
Tuesday 9 June
Through the Eyes of Jewish Child Survivors from Poland
In her new book, Joanna Beata Michlic draws on children’s diaries, letters, testimonies and memoirs to explore how the younger generation perceived rescue, survival and relationships with adults whilst under Nazi occupation. Through the Eyes of Jewish Child Survivors from Poland examines real life wartime experiences and looks at how kids reclaimed both their childhood and Jewish identity in the immediate post-war period. Michlic appears in conversation with Professor Zoë Waxman (University of Oxford).
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Tuesday 16 June
James Joyce's Ulysses - A Novel of Two Peoples
Renowned Irish author James Joyce once described his most famous book, Ulysses, as “a novel of two peoples”: the Irish and the Jewish. Explore that theme further on Bloomsday – so dubbed because the story of Ulysses’ protagonist, Leopold Bloom, takes place on 16 June 1904. Join literary enthusiasts and fellow writers Zachary Leader, Eimear McBride and Toby Lichtig for an evening of Joycean nerding out.
7.30pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 17 June
Not Only for Ourselves: The Past, Present and Future of JCORE
Discover the history of JCORE, an organisation that’s been campaigning against antisemitism since 1976, at this launch for a new book about their history. Now known as HIAS+JCORE, since joining forces with the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society in 2022, they provide a Jewish voice on refugee and asylum issues in the UK. The event also features a panel discussion between JCORE founder Dr Edie Friedman, Rabbi David Mason, executive director of HIAS+JCORE, the book’s author Joseph Finlay and more guests.
7.30pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 18 June
And The Cello Came Too
Robin Lustig delves into the complex history of his German Jewish family in his new book, which gives a perspective on the experience of Jewish refugees in alien cities who carved out new lives for themselves. He’ll discuss And the Cello Came too: A Story of Survival with Michael Newman, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
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
BOOKS & POETRY
Tuesday 26 May
Bennett Arron: I Regret This Already
See above for details.
7.30pm. £20. Circle and Star Theatre, NW3 6TE. www.jokepit.com
Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 May
Michelle de Swarte: The Afters
Jewish Caribbean-Londoner Michelle de Swarte presents her razor-sharp stand-up comedy, which ponders the questions of modern life. She’s looking for answers about life before social media, clinging on to youth, whether tarot card readers replace actual therapy and other amusing observations.
8pm. From £23. Hackney Empire, E8 1EJ. www.hackneyempire.co.uk
Thursday 11 June
Mark Maier: Jewvenile
Award-winning funny man Mark Maier, the first British comedian to have played the San Francisco Jewish comedy festival presents Jewvenile, in which he tackles hard-hitting topics such as cushions, blue badges and Jewish wife swapping.
7.30pm. £22.50. Radlett Centre, WD7 8HL. www.radlettcentre.co.uk
COMEDY
Sunday 24 May
Shavuot Learn and Sing
Ilana Banana hosts a high-energy Shavuot celebration for little ones and their grown-ups, featuring rainbow ribbons, shakers, instruments, bubbles, parachute play and lots of joy. Join in for a musical journey to the foot of the mountain to receive the Torah!
2pm. £7 per child, £5 per adult. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 26 May
Family Resilience Bootcamp: Physical Safety and Digital Resilience
At a time of rising antisemitic threats and a big increase in online hatred, this programme provides children and adults with practical tools to stay safe, confident and emotionally supported. Learn age-appropriate self defence skills and situational awareness techniques, as well as digital safety and online resilience. Suitable for ages 12+.
10.30am. From £18. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 28 May
Challah-bration! A Family Challah Bake
All ages are welcome to join JW3’s first-ever collaborative bake, a feel-good event celebrating the meaningful Jewish tradition of making challah. No prior experience necessary, the session teaches the art of braiding dough and includes family-friendly activities.
10.30am. £32.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 31 May
Mitzvah Mission: Impossible!
Pier Pressure Welwyn presents a high-stakes, family-friendly escape room experience. JW3’s big Bar Mitzvah bash begins soon, but a major disaster has struck behind the scenes! Can you crack the puzzles, recover the essentials and find the code to the high-security vault holding the guest of honour’s speech before the music starts? Suitable for ages 9+.
1pm. £10. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
family
Thursday 14 May
Forgotten Voices: The Third Reich’s Elite Schools
First-person testimony, rare archival materials and expert historian insight combine in this 30-minute documentary exploring the elite boarding schools founded by the Nazis to train the future leaders of the Third Reich. Explore how these institutions recruited boys into a militarised radically charged regime. Preceded by a presentation by Dr Helen Roche (Durham University) and followed by a Q&A.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 11 June
Kosher Giraffes & Other Tails
British-Austrian moviemaker, musician and painter Hugo Max presents some of his experimental short films, which provide a unique take on Jewish identity. These are screened alongside live music and followed by a Q&A.
8pm. £15. 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
FILM AND TV
MUSIC
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
Friday 25 May – 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
Saturday 26 May
JDAL Sings!
The Jewish Dramatic Association of London (JDAL) presents an evening celebrating Jewish songwriting, featuring works by Bernstein, Sondheim and Stephen Schwartz as part of Jewish Culture Month.
7.30pm. £20. Upstairs at the Gatehouse, N6 4BD. www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
Sunday 31 May
Ottoman-Jewish Masters: The Lost Sounds of Istanbul
Discover the classical and often overlooked musical legacy of Jewish composers from the Ottoman Empire. Works by Boncukçu, Avram Karakaş, Tanburi İsak and more will be performed in an evening celebrating an era where faith and art coexisted harmoniously.
5.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 7 June
L’Chaim / L’Chaos: 50 Years of Jewish Punk
Enjoy live interviews, DJ sets, a photo exhibition, book launch, poetry, film and a performance celebrating punk rock and its relationship with Jewish culture. Hosted as part of Jewish Culture Month.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 21 June
Midsummer Klezmer Tea Party
The klezmer music of Ilana Cravitz (violin), John Macnaughton (clarinet), Adina Presman (accordion) and Karen Yarnell (percussion) accompany a strawberry themed afternoon tea, complete with scones and cheesecake.
4pm. £25. Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue, Ilford, IG2 7PL. www.ilanacravitz.com
Sunday 21 June
Forbidden Voices of WWII: Banned but not Forgotten
The Jewish Band commemorate composers whose voices were banned, suppressed, persecuted or silenced under the Nazi regime in an evening of music and remembrance. The performance, which features works by musicians including Felix Mendelssohn and Gustav Mahler, portrays and revives the moving and historically significant stories behind the compositions.
5pm. From £29.99. City of London School, EC4V 3AL. www.tickettailor.com/events/forbiddenvoices/2149964
Sunday 21 June
Alyth Chloral Society Summer Concert
Community choir Alyth Choral Society presents a summer concert of Jewish liturgy, Hebrew and Yiddish song, and classic pieces.
7pm. Price TBC. North Western Reform Synagogue, NW11 7EN. www.alythchoralsociety.com
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 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
Wednesday 13 May
Emotions in the Holocaust: Theatre in Theresienstadt
Professor Lisa Peschel explores how Holocaust survivors’ stories have changed over time. While researching for her book, she studied five Czech Jewish people who were sent to Theresienstadt, took part in the ghetto’s theatre scene, and stayed in Czechoslovakia after the war. This lecture spotlights Gertruda Popperová, who started acting in the concentration camp before carving out a successful career after the war. However, her testimonies from the 1960s and the late 1990s differ, her narrative ranging from politically charged to personal trauma.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Monday 18 May
Society and Survival During the Holocaust
The sixth annual Alfred Wiener Holocaust Memorial Lecture focuses on the experiences of hiding and helping during the Holocaust, highlighting the various societies that aided Jewish survival. Mary Fullbrook (University College London) discusses non-Jewish responses to antisemitic propaganda and the tribulations of those who attempted to avoid persecution regionally.
6pm. FREE. ONLINE & Gresham College, EC1N 2HH. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Monday 18 May
A Fourth Annual Cricket Evening
Author Daniel Lightman appears in conversation with former England captain Mike Brearley OBE and Test Match Special commentator Daniel Norcross to discuss previously unknown stories of Jewish (and Jew-ish) cricketers.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 26 May
Secrets of the Cockney Yiddish Music Hall
Uncover the little-known stories of London’s Yiddish music scene during the turn of the 20th century with historian Vivi Lachs. Hear about the satirical, edgy and surprising sounds of a community in transition, grappling with religious, emotional and ideological hurdles as Jewish immigrants trying to integrate into British life.
7pm. £12. The Club for Acts and Actors, WC2E 9HP. www.ticketsource.com/bookings/evt-xPZR20JQnRE13KM6
Thursday 4 June
Graham Gouldman: 10 Songs that Changed My Life
10cc’s Graham Gouldman sits down with DJ Gary Crowley to discuss the songs that shaped his life. The Jewish singer-songwriter also shares the stories and inspirations behind his music.
7.30pm. £18. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 9 June
The Sassoons: From Baghdad to Britain
Discover the story and legacy of the influential Sassoon family with Lyn Julius, as part of Jewish Culture Month. Entrepreneur David Sassoon made a name for himself in the Far East, but his descendants craved acceptance within British society. The clan included MPs Edward and Philip, poet Siegfried, collector Hannah Gubbay and editor Rachel Beer.
7pm. From £12.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.harif.org
Wednesday 10 June
The Expulsion of the Jews from England 1290
Historian Jill Stern explores King Edward’s order to expel Jews from England in 1290. She questions whether similar actions occurred in other parts of Europe and discusses one individual in particular who managed to slip through the net.
11am. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
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
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
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
THEATRE
UNTIL Saturday 16 May
Ashes and Diamonds
Gail Louw’s one-woman play compares the experience of being a grandmother to being a mother, exploring a variety of memories, some playful, some disturbing. Ashes and Diamonds is based on the true story of Sara Tauba Klagsbrun, who had to conceal her Jewish identity from five years old, before harrowingly escaping the Holocaust, mostly on foot.
7.30pm (Tue-Fri), 3pm (Wed & Sat only). £16, £10 concs. White Bear Theatre, SE11 4DJ. www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk
UNTIL Saturday 23 May
NIUSIA
Meet Niusia. She was studying medicine in Poland before being transported to Auschwitz. There, she was forced to work alongside Josef Mengele in one of the camp hospitals, caring for the victims of his deadly experiments and smuggling medicine out to aid her campmates. She survived the atrocities, but she became embittered in her old age once her granddaughter Beth Paterson got to know her. In NIUSIA, Beth tells the story of her grandmother through her own memories, as well as her mother’s (recordings of whom are played in the background), and dramatisations of Niusia’s post-war life in Melbourne, Australia. Join her on this journey of discovery, not only of a hidden family history, but of her own heritage, identity and how deep traumas can continue to affect new generations. Read our review of NIUSIA on the JR blog.
7.30pm. £17, £15 concs. Theatre 503, SW11 3BW. www.theatre503.com
UNTIL Saturday 23 May
Please Please Me
Dive into the rich journey of The Beatles and their founding manager Brian Epstein. When the music entrepreneur discovers the legendary band, he makes it his life’s mission to make them the most famous group on earth. Mirroring the true story, Epstein grapples with his identity – he was Jewish at a time of rising antisemitism and gay when homosexuality was criminalised. See how this led to his eventual downfall, culminating in his premature death aged just 32. Read more about Please Please Me in the Winter 2026 issue of JR.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Wed & Sat only). From £15. Kiln Theatre, NW6 7JR. www.kilntheatre.com
Until Saturday 30 May
Into the Woods
Jewish playwrights Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine weave together classic fairytales including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood in their musical. Into the Woods follows a childless baker and his wife, who are cursed by the witch next door and must embark on a quest in the forest to break the spell and have a child – but their selfishness comes with dark consequences as they face the reality of ‘happily ever after’. Directed by Jordan Fein, who has recently worked on the smash-hit stage adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof. Read more about Into the Woods in the Winter 2026 issue of JR.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat). From £35. Bridge Theatre, SE1 2SG. www.bridgetheatre.co.uk
until Sunday 7 June
The Price
Find out what happens when two estranged brothers meet to sort out their late father’s possessions in Jonathan Munby’s new adaptation of Arthur Miller’s family drama. The Price, one of the late playwright’s most intimate and explosive works, explores Jewish American identity through an emotional reckoning, resentment, sacrifice and buried truth. Read more about Arthur Miller in the Spring 2026 issue of JR.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Sat & Sun only). From £19.50. Marylebone Theatre, NW1 6XT. www.marylebonetheatre.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
Friday 25 May – 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
Thursday 4 – 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
Tuesday 9 June
Picking Up Stones
Sandra Laub presents a number of perspectives reacting to the 7 October attacks in her solo play. From Golda Meir to a Palestinian mother, she explores the complexities in feeling empathy for families on both sides of the Israel Gaza conflict and tackles the subsequent spike in antisemitism and Islamophobia. Followed by a discussion with Laub.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 10 June – 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
Sunday 21 June
Rainbows on Rye
Short comedies and original musical theatre songs express the joys – and oys – of being Jewish and gay. Presented by Echoes Theatre Co. and THE JEWish CABARET.
7pm. £18. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
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
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
Sunday 17 May
London's Jewish History Over the Centuries
Discover the story of London’s Jews in a walking tour exploring 1,000 years of history, dating back to medieval times. Starting in Aldgate, hear about the personalities that shaped the city’s Jewish history, and see many of the most important sites that feature along the way.
3pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 24 May
Pioneers of Science & Medicine in Willesden Jewish Cemetery
Discover groundbreaking scientists, doctors and industrialists who made invaluable contributions to science in this walk around Willesden Jewish Cemetery.
11am. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Tuesday 9 June
London’s Famous Attractions with Amazing Jewish Connections
Learn the little-known Jewish stories behind some of London’s most iconic sites in this walking tour led by Stephen Burstin. Discover all areas of the city’s history, from the tragic fate of 18 Jews in Parliament Square, to the Jewish ancestry of former prime minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street, to the billionaire cousins who clashed during the Napoleonic Wars, with a sprinkling of tales from the world of cinema.
10.30am. £20. Meeting location provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 14 June
Creativity Unwrapped
Delve into the lives and legacies of the artists, architects and creative personalities who’ve been laid to rest at the historic Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Uncover their artistic contributions and the ingenuity that shaped their lives and careers.
11am. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Sunday 21 June
Art and Refugees in Hampstead
Marilyn Greene guides a walk around Hampstead, focusing on the home of lawyer Fred Uhlman. With his wife Diana, he set up an artist refugee committee that helped save Jewish artists stranded in Czechoslovakia during World War II. Discover the places he frequented and learn about the other Jewish artists and designers who settled in the area.
2pm. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.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
WALKS
WORKSHOPS
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
Wednesday 20 May
An Evening of Edible Memory: Food, Identity & Jewish Life
A panel of culinary experts explores the important role of food within Judaism. Sephardi chef Linda Dangoor, author Alissa Timoshkina and food writer Helen Graham present cookery demonstrations and discuss how cherished recipes, which are handed down through generations, carry stories that shape today’s communities and conversations. Read our interview with Linda Dangoor in the Autumn 2025 issue of JR.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 3 – 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
Sunday 14 June
Walk & Write
Explore the neighbourhood surrounding JW3, including a look at Leon Fenster’s nine-storey mural, before heading back to the building to write. Led by Nichola Charalambou, founder of Creative Writes. Refreshments provided.
2pm. £36, £20 per session. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.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 the Jewish East End.
Times and London locations vary. From £45. www.jmi.org.uk