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
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.
Until 19 December
Ben Uri 110 Years: From Local to Global
Celebrate 110 years of the Ben Uri Gallery and Museum, a pioneering research centre dedicated to Jewish, refugee and immigrant contribution to British culture. This exhibition presents works from the institution’s collections, which document its journey from local beginnings to its digital global impact today.
Until 16 January
Sam Rabin: Boxing and More
Explore the multi-faceted career of Sam Rabin, a British boxer cum sculptor dubbed ‘Sam Radnor the Hebrew Jew’. He was awarded a bronze medal in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics and used his fighting to fund his passion for art and sculpture. He often focused on characteristics of the boxing ring in his pieces.
4 February – 1 May
NW8 0RH. 020 7604 3991. www.benuri.org.uk
Ein Sof Jewish Art Gallery
Lost but Remembered: Traces of Jewish Legacy in Lithuania
During its Nazi occupation, 90 per cent of Lithuania’s Jews were murdered. Since 1941, the community has dwindled from 250,000 to just 5,000, and this exhibition honours the legacy of the country’s Jewish past. Photography by Daniel and Nathan Pesin documents former synagogues, plaques for Jewish businesses and road signs denoting mass killing sites, accompanied by a 14-minute screening of Roberta Grossman’s Extinguished Lives, which portrays the story of a young woman during the Holocaust.
8 – 29 January
N1 8HX. 020 7700 6974. www.jewishislington.co.uk
JW3
Finding Ivy
See this travelling exhibition, which was originally shown in Holocaust Centre North in 2024, in London for one day only at JW3. It tells the remarkable story of 13 British-born victims of Aktion T4, a Nazi state-led initiative in which 70,000 adults with mental and physical disabilities were murdered in Germany and Austria.
19 January
NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
MCC Museum, Lord’s Cricket Ground
Cricket and the Jewish Community
This exhibition shows, for the first time, how Jewish people have contributed to the world of cricket. See clothing, artwork, books and videos exploring how Jews, 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
National Portrait Gallery
Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting
Figurative painter Lucien Freud was fixated on the human face and figure, and is known for his raw and intensely observed portraits and nude studies. This exhibition, the first of its kind in the UK, features Freud’s never-before-displayed drawings. Explore his mastery using pencil, pen, ink, charcoal and etching, as well as a selected group of paintings, which reveal the relationship between his practice on paper and on canvas.
12 February - 3 May
WC2H 0HE. 020 7306 0055. www.npg.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 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
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
White Cube
Klára Hosnedlová
Get in amongst the immersive installations by Czech artist Klára Hosnedlová, which incorporate architectural elements, sculpture, performance and embroidery. Her surreal, abstract pieces, which are site-specific, work with real moments in history, but pose ‘what if’ fictional scenarios. Read more about Klára Hosnedlová in the Winter 2026 issue of JR.
11 February – 29 March
SE1 3TQ. 020 7930 5373. www.whitecube.com
WIENER HOLOCAUST LIBRARY
Eldercide: Older Jews and the Holocaust
Rare photographs, personal stories and objects portray the hardships of being an elderly Jew during the Holocaust. Explore how older people navigated persecution, escape and survival, and what happened to the small number of those who survived.
Until 30 April
Ano Ćućipe e Lavengo: In the Silence of Words
What role did language play in the persecution of the Roma community during the Holocaust? This Reading Room exhibition features three original artworks commemorating the Romani and Sinti victims shown alongside a collage by Robert Czibi, which serves as a symbolic representation of Jewish memory and freedom.
Until 1 February
WC1B 5DP. 020 7636 7247. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
Thursday 29 January
The Third Reich of Dreams: Dreaming Under Dictatorship
Charlotte Beradt collected the dreams of German citizens under Hitler’s rule in her book, which will be discussed by journalist Amanda Rubin and historian and psychoanalyst Professor Daniel Pick. The Third Reich of Dreams: Dreaming Under Dictatorship looks at how political power shapes not only our words and actions, but also our subconsciousness, raising timely questions about truth, illusion and the hidden effects of propaganda.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 18 February
Dreams, Minds and Power: Therapy Under the Nazis
Psychoanalysis was branded ‘the Jewish science’ and prohibited under the Nazi regime; its leading figures were exiled and psychology was dismissed as irrelevant to Hitler’s ideals. Stephen Frosh, professor of psychological studies at Birkbeck, University of London, and journalist and filmmaker Amanda Rubin draw on Charlotte Beradt’s secret collection of dreams (as detailed in 29 January listing above), to explore how ideas of the self, psyche and healing were reshaped to fit an authoritarian system, and whether this has had long-lasting effects on today’s society.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Saturday 28 February – Sunday 8 March
Jewish Book Week
London’s longest-running literary festival returns, welcoming a bevy of speakers from different backgrounds to bring Jewish themes to the wider public. Enjoy debates, talks, musical performances, interactive experiences and Purim celebrations. Read more about Jewish Book Week in the Winter 2026 issue of JR.
Times and prices vary. ONLINE & Kings Place, N1 9AG. www.jewishliteraryfoundation.co.uk
Wednesday 11 March
Becoming Ourselves: Poems of Growing Up and Beyond
Celebrate JW3’s 13th birthday at a relaxed open-mic poetry night with Judy Karbritz, co-founder of the Jewish Poetry Society. Whether you come along to listen or want to participate, all are welcome to share original works or loved poems exploring themes of schooldays, growing up and independence.
7pm. £9. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 26 March
Chutzpah: Yehudis Fletcher in conversation with Toby Lichtig
Having grown up as the rabbi’s daughter in an Orthodox Jewish community, Yehudis Fletcher struggled to conform to the strict expectations set upon her and her siblings. Throughout the years the restrictions intensified and, as she began questioning her sexuality, she also questioned her faith and started yearning for a life in which she could fully be herself. She details her struggles in Chutzpah: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality and Daring to Stay, which she discusses with journalist Toby Lichtig.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 30 March
Dreaming and Resisting: What We Know and What We Deny
Drawing on Charlotte Beradt’s research collected during 1930s Nazi Germany (as detailed in 29 January listing above), filmmaker and journalist Aamanda Rubin explores what dreams reveal about our values, fears and ability to stand up to injustice. She also discusses how the subconscious imagination reflects anxiety, helplessness and resistance, and what makes us conform.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
BOOKS & POETRY
Wednesday 28 January, Thursday 19 February & Thursday 19 March
JW3 Comedy Club
Sit back and relax as Jewish (and Jew-ish) comedians take to the stage with jokes, improvisation and stand-up performances.
7.30pm. £17. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
COMEDY
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 Chanukah 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
Sunday 15 February
Valentine's Family Disco
Bring your best moves to the dance floor at Ilana Banana’s family party! Children under seven are invited to grab their favourite grown-ups for a Valentines Day celebration.
2pm. £7 per child, £5 per adult. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 1 March
Party on Purim
Families are invited to celebrate the fun festival of Purim with a magic show, scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, face painting and glitter tattoos. Don’t forget to dress up for the costume parade!
3pm. £12. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
family
Wednesday 15 January
Radio Propaganda
Israeli radio station Beit Shidir was a lifeline for Jews remaining in Arab countries after the establishment of the State of Israel. However, while it was promoted as a reliable source of news and music, in reality it was a hotbed for propaganda, psychological warfare and even secret codes for undercover agents. During its lifespan, from the 1940s to 1960s, the station was a major threat to rulers of the Arab world and was dubbed ‘The Israel Broadcasting Corporation’s Propaganda Orchestra’ by its competitors. Discover the story behind this fascinating moment in history in this screening of Ofer Pinchasov’s 2023 documentary.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.spiroark.org
Tuesday 27 January
The Jews of Syria 1930-1967
Joe Sitt’s documentary explores the violence faced by Syrian Jewish people in Aleppo and Damascus, who were forbidden to emigrate or leave following the partition of Palestine in 1947. The Jews of Syria 1930-1967 also shines a light on the riots against the community, activist Rabbi Kalmanowitz, who played a key role in rescuing Egyptian Jews, and Eli Cohen, the renowned spy who worked for the Israeli government.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 23 March
Sharif
Israeli journalist, playwright and theatre director Tomer Aldubi presents the dangerous lives of LGBTQ+ Palestinians in his play. Sharif documents the story of a teen who was forced to flee the West Bank, after his sexuality had been publicly exposed, and left to survive in Israel alone. This staged reading explores scenes from Sharif’s past and present, including interrogations by the IDF, a family crisis following his disappearance and life-threatening encounters with the Palestinian police.
7pm. £16. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
FILM AND TV
MUSIC
until 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
Sunday 18 January
Raphael Wallfisch: Composers in Exile
Cellist Raphael Wallfisch and pianist Simon Callaghan unite to perform music by composers who were forced to flee their home countries during World War II. The two commemorate a year since the release of The Last Musician of Auschwitz, a documentary telling the story of Wallfisch’s mother, Holocaust survivor Anita Lasker-Wallfisch. Read more about Raphael Wallfisch in the Winter 2026 issue of JR.
3pm. From £27. Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Sunday 25 January
Daughters of Persia
Pianist Margaret Fingerhut is joined by violinist Bradley Creswick and cellist Guy Johnston to celebrate the extraordinary women of Persia throughout history, literature and mythology. Oscar- and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter William Nicholson’s score features a selection of classic compositions alongside the UK premiere of a new work, The Laughter of Gordafarid, by Farhad Poupel. Fingerhut and Creswick are also opening Jewish Book Week (28 Feb) with a presentation of violin and piano pieces by Jewish composers.
7pm. From £40. Kings Place, N1 9AG. www.kingsplace.co.uk
Sunday 22 February
100 Years of the London Jewish Male Choir
In the first of its year-long celebration, the London Jewish Male Choir marks its 100th anniversary. The evening features cantorial performance, musical theatre numbers, Yiddish song, Israeli folk music and popular classics by Jewish composers.
7pm. £18. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 23 February
Play Nice: Jewish Women in 20th Century Classical Music
Explore the personal and professional lives of three extraordinary Jewish pianists: Harriet Cohen, Myra Hess and Irene Scharrer. Students from the Royal Academy of Music perform pieces the women are most known for, the British Library presents material from its music collection and a panel of academics discusses the musicians’ challenges and achievements.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 15 March
JMI Youth Big Band x NYJO: The Future of Jazz
The Jewish Music Institute’s Youth Big Band, led by Sam Eastmond, revives the traditional melodies of Jewish heritage. They’re joined by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra under-18s in this musical afternoon, showcasing the wide range of talent from both ensembles.
3pm. £18. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 26 March
Nadav Schneerson: Sheva
Influenced by his Jewish heritage, drummer Nadav Schneerson’s debut album is a fusion of jazz, global rhythms and contemporary collaborations. He presents Sheva, which features musicians from acclaimed global projects and festivals in a one-night-only performance.
7.30pm. £16. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
TALKS
Thursday 8 January
Berthe Weill: A Courageous Spirit
Celebrate the life, career and achievements of French art dealer Berthe Weill. Despite being born into a poor Jewish family with no social connections, she was the first in Paris to show the work of both Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, and presented the only solo exhibition of works by Amedeo Modigliani during his lifetime. Read more about Berthe Weill in the Autumn 2025 issue of JR.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 19 January
Rachel Riley and Brendan O’Neil on The Brink
Jewish journalist Jake Wallis Simons and former army official Andrew Fox host a live recording of their podcast, The Brink. They’re joined by author Brendan O’Neil and Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, who have both publicly campaigned against antisemitism.
7pm. £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
Friday 23 January
Holocaust Memorial Day
The theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, Bridging Generations, emphasises the importance of carrying memories forward through action. With the number of survivors decreasing, it’s more important than ever to remember the atrocities, and to commit to a future shaped by empathy and understanding.
10.30am. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 25 January
Holocaust Memorial Day
Commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day in an evening of discussion, poetry, music and reflection. Guests include speakers Tali Smus, who discusses life as a Jewish student in London, Rabbi Golker of Richmond Synagogue and Councillor Penny Frost, Mayor of Richmond upon Thames. Plus live music from Steve Levi of klezmer band Oi Va Voi.
7pm. FREE. Richmond Synagogue, TW9 1AP. www.richmondjewishcommunity.org.uk
Thursday 29 January
The Mizrahi Story: Live
Ciara Shalome has amassed over 100,000 followers on Instagram (@TheMizrahiStory), on which she spotlights the underrepresented voices of the Mizrahi Jewish community. A few of those join her for a live, intimate interview, discussing the stories, memories, traditions and challenges they’ve experienced as Middle Eastern and North African Jews. Find out more about @TheMizrahiStory in the Winter 2026 issue of JR.
7pm. £16. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 3 February
What the Qur’an Says About Jews, Judaism and the Torah
Rick Sopher, an expert in interfaith scriptural dialogue, is joined by Abdulla Galadari, professor of Islamic Studies at Khalifa University, to delve into what the Qur’an teaches Muslims about Jews, Judaism and the Torah.
7pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 5 February
Finding Ivy: Panel Discussion
Curators Dr Helen Atherton and Dr Simon Jarrett discuss their exhibition Finding Ivy, which first went on display at the Holocaust Centre North in 2024. Finding Ivy explores the stories of 13 British-born victims of Aktion T4, a Nazi state-led initiative in which 70,000 adults with mental and physical disabilities were murdered in Germany and Austria. Atherton and Jarrett will also be joined by Stephen Unwin, former Chair of the charity KIDS, which supports disabled young people and their families.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 11 February
Philosophy Taster Night: Walter Benjamin
Lecturer Daniel Weizman (City Lit and the Mary Ward Centre) examines the thoughts of Walter Benjamin – the German Jewish philosopher, critic and writer. Discover how Benjamin’s work invites us to reconsider history, justice, the possibility of change and how Judaism can help to navigate modern life.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 5 March
The Jewish History of Clifton College
Dr Shelley Braude discusses Bristol’s Clifton College, which was the first private school in the UK to admit Jewish students. To this day, it continues to run a Jewish Life Programme and features a fully equipped on-site synagogue, despite being a non-faith school.
7.30pm. £12. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 10 March
Community Resilience and Shared Living Post 7 October
Explore The Abraham Initiatives’ major new campaign, Shared Regions, which aims to transform everyday life for Jews and Arabs in northern Israel. Discover how shared society is becoming a reality in the country’s most diverse region, and hear about plans for the project in the sectors of health care, education and community life.
7.30pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 25 March
A Ritual Murder: Norwich 1144
When the dead body of a man named William was discovered in a wood near Norwich in 1144, rumours circulated that the Jewish community was behind his murder. It was widely believed that he was killed for ritual purposes, but no evidence was found and the crime was never solved. Historian Jill Stern revisits this story and looks at how the accusations were part of a smear campaign to banish Jews from Europe.
11am. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
THEATRE
until 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
Until Thursday 8 January
Christmas Day
Somewhere in north London on a frosty Christmas Day, foxes prowl the deserted streets, while a Jewish family gathers inside an abandoned building. Find out what is set to unfold in this world premiere of the new play by Olivier Award-winning playwright Sam Grabiner and director James Macdonald. Christmas Day promises a darkly comic evening about identity, belonging and the rituals we perform with the people we love.
Phone for times and prices. Almeida Theatre, London N1 1TA. 020 7359 4404. www.almeida.co.uk
until Saturday 24 January
REVENGE: After the Levoyah
Following multiple sell-out runs, Nick Cassenbaum’s Scotsman First Fringe Award-winning play hits the London stage. It’s 2019 in Essex, and twins Dan and Lauren return from their grandfather’s funeral. They’re cornered by 80-year-old gangster Malcolm Spivak, who enlists them to help him kidnap Jeremy Corbyn. Featuring madcap comedy and biting political satire, REVENGE: After the Levoyah journeys through antisemitism in the diaspora and the dangers of collective hysteria. Read our review of REVENGE: After the Levoyah on the JR blog.
8pm. From £13. Soho Theatre Dean Street, W1D 3NE. www.sohotheatre.com
Until Saturday 18 April
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
Friday 16 January – Saturday 28 February
Cable Street
It’s October 1936 and Sammy, Mairead and Ron are carving out their futures on London’s Cable Street. However, their plans are disrupted by the activities of Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists, and its march through the East End on 4 October. Thousands of Jewish and Irish local residents, trade unionists and activists from the Labour and Communist parties unite to block their passage. This retelling of the historic event is given a contemporary, musical twist. Read more about Cable Street in the Winter 2024 issue of JR.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £25. Marylebone Theatre, NW1 6XT. www.marylebonetheatre.com
Thursday 29 January
Seder
Playwright and educator Adam Kammerling asks: what is survival and how do we pass it on? Seder, an interdisciplinary performance of spoken word, dance, theatre and live music, unpacks the tangled stories we carry with us and how we choose to tell them. The story confronts themes of inherited grief and unspoken truths, with a dash of heavy metal thrown in for good measure.
7.45pm. From £15. Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Saturday 31 January – Saturday 28 February
Here There are Blueberries
New York company Tectonic Theatre presents the UK premiere of Here There are Blueberries. This powerful play, which was a finalist for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize, is based on real events that explore Nazi-era photographs in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum archives. Discover the shocking truth behind the images and the media storm that followed. There will also be a series of post-show discussions about the themes of the play with leading ethicists and scholars taking place throughout the run.
7.30pm, 3pm (Thu & Sat only). From £10. Theatre Royal Stratford East, E15 1BN. www.stratfordeast.com
Saturday 31 January
Israeli Theatre Festival: HaLev
Israeli group The Hour Theatre presents a play inspired by Edmondo De Amicis’s most well-known book, Cuore. HaLev (The Heart) follows a young boy named Marco on a brave journey across continents to reunite with his mother, in a touching performance of resilience, courage and triumph.
6.30pm. £12. Richmond Synagogue, TW9 1AP. www.richmondjewishcommunity.org.uk
Sunday 8 February
From Ash to Promise
Three works of contemporary ballet reimagine parts of history and explore Jewish narratives within personal and national identity. Enjoy the live debut of Marika Brussel’s Lot’s Wife, a feminist portrayal of the Old Testament story. Instead of being turned into a pillar of salt, Lot’s wife looks back on what she could be leaving behind. Brussel also presents Slant of the Earth, exploring the love triangle of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, with an original twist on the story’s ending. Finally, Richard Bermange’s Mr Greentree (My Wish Was My Command) is a multimedia piece inspired by Austrian Jewish cabaret artist and anti-fascist Fritz Grünbaum.
7.30pm. £18. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 11 February
Annual Spiro Tribute
Israeli actor, writer and producer Bat-El celebrates the tremendous work of Nitza Spiro and her late husband Robin, founders of the Jewish educational organisation Spiro Ark. This year’s tribute takes the form of a play, which tells the couple’s story of courage, resilience and triumph.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 17 February
Seder
Playwright and educator Adam Kammerling asks: what is survival and how do we pass it on? Seder, an interdisciplinary performance of spoken word, dance, theatre and live music unpacks the tangled stories we carry with us and how we choose to tell them. The story confronts themes of inherited grief and unspoken truths, with a dash of heavy metal thrown in for good measure.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Saturday 21 February – Saturday 18 April
Broken Glass
Arthur Miller’s rarely performed play focuses on the defiant Sylvia Gellburg. Set in Brooklyn in 1938, Gellburg helplessly reads about the violent attacks on the Jewish community in Germany. She becomes fixated on the atrocities, so much so that she loses the ability to walk. Meanwhile, her husband battles with his Jewish heritage and wants to integrate himself into the broader culture – to the detriment of their marriage. Directed by Jordan Fein, who recently worked on the smash-hit stage adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof. Read more about Broken Glass in the Winter 2026 issue of JR.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Wed & Sat only). From £20 (from £15 concs). Young Vic, SE1 8LZ. www.youngvic.org
Friday 27 February – Saturday 2 May
The Holy Rosenbergs
The Rosenberg family are in crisis and it’s only exasperated further after the death of son Danny, an Israeli soldier. His father David is consumed with trying to save his failing catering business; wife Lesley is trying to save David; and their daughter Ruth is facing public backlash for investigating war crimes in Gaza on behalf of the United Nations. Ryan Craig’s 2011 play, which premiered at the National Theatre, appears at Menier Chocolate Factory for a timely and pertinent run.
Times and prices TBC. Menier Chocolate Factory, SE1 1TE. www.menierchocolatefactory.com
Thursday 16 April – 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
Sunday 11 January, Sunday 8 February, Sunday 8 March & Sunday 12 April
The Jewish Square Mile Walk
Explore the hidden history of London’s medieval Jewish community, including the UK’s oldest Jewish cemetery, located within the Barbican Estate. Discover the story of those who arrived in the city shortly after William the Conqueror came to power in 1066 and established a vibrant community before being expelled by Edward I in 1290.
11am. FREE (£20 suggested donation). Barbican Station, EC1A 4JA. www.thejewishsquaremile.org
Sunday 18 January, Sunday 15 February & Sunday 15 March
Stamford Hill Walking Tour
Rabbi Mendy Korer leads a tour of Stamford Hill – home to Europe’s largest population of Charedi Chasidic Jews. Explore the streets and buildings, hear the stories of the legends who once roamed there and taste some delicious rugelach.
10am. From £12. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jewishislington.co.uk
Sunday 1 March
Mayfair Walk with a Jewish Twist
Enjoy a guided walk through one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in London. Mayfair, known for its Georgian houses, royal parks and grand avenues, is also steeped in Jewish history. Former residents include Benjamin Disraeli, Sir Moses Montefiore, Alfred de Rothschild and many others whose stories contribute greatly to 1,000 years of British Jewish history.
3pm. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 8 March
Women of Worth
Mark International Women’s Day by exploring the back streets of London’s Whitechapel and Spitalfields with Blue Badge tour guide Rachel Kolsky. Hear the stories of campaigner Sophie Spielman, Alice Model’s maternity hospital, youth worker Miriam Moses, the Rothschild ladies and their philanthropy and much more.
11am. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 8 March
Women of Willesden
Discover the stories of Jewish women laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, who made a significant impact on both the Jewish community and British society. Explore their philanthropy, scientific and entrepreneurial achievements in this guided walk.
11.30am. £10. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Sunday 22 March
Following the Footsteps of Dr Chaim Weizmann and the Balfour Declaration
Follow the footsteps of Israeli statesmen, biochemist and Zionist leader Dr Chaim Azriel Weizmann and explore the locations where modern Zionism was formed in the early 1900s. This walk will show the places where Dr Weizmann met the leading figures who helped him turn the idea of a Jewish state into a reality, including the Rothschild family, Herbert Samuel, Lord Balfour and Lady Astor, and discover the fascinating roles that each person played in sparking the historic Balfour Declaration.
2pm. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
WALKS
WORKSHOPS
until 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
until 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
until 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
Monday 5 January – Monday 23 March
Dilemmas of the Deep: Resistance and The Righteous
Academic Angela Gluck questions the motives behind various atrocities faced by Jews throughout the years. This workshop, spanning 11 weeks, explores the defiance of the Nazi regime and the ways this was expressed, including attacks, escapes, fraud and teaching, and spotlights the ingenuity and strength behind these actions.
10.30am. £198. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 5 January – Monday 23 March
The Making of the Modern Middle East: 1959 to 1979
Historian and writer Paula Kitching explores the alliances, leaderships and international engagements over 20 years of Middle Eastern history in this weekly workshop.
11am. £198, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 6 January – Tuesday 17 March
The Art of Hebrew Calligraphy
Work with ink, paint and gold to create beautifully illuminated Hebrew writings with artist and calligrapher Vetta Alexis. Participants of all levels welcome.
11am. £180, £20 per session. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 15 January – Thursday 26 March
Modern Jewish Literature
Writer Naomi Grant celebrates JW3’s bar mitzvah (aka 13th birthday) by exploring the richness of modern Jewish culture through Israeli, European and American literature. The final session in this weekly course will be led by JR’s executive director Aviva Dautch, who’ll explore the poetry of Adrienne Rich.
10.30am. £180, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 15 January – Thursday 12 February
What is Jewish Film?
Lecturer and writer Dr Julia Wagner explores how films have reflected cultural shifts within Judaism, from the early years of Yiddish cinema to today.
10.30am. £90. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 22 January
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 and author Alissa Timoshkina present cookery demonstrations and discuss how cherished recipes, which are handed down through generations, carry stories with them that shape today’s communities and conversations. Read our interview with Linda Dangoor in the Autumn 2025 issue of JR.
6pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 25 January
Tu B’shvat Seder
Writer Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg (New North London Synagogue) and other guests commemorate Tu B’shvat, the Jewish new year for trees, marking the imminent start of spring.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 26 February – Thursday 19 March
Artificial Intelligence and Jewish Thought
What is artificial intelligence and how is it connected to Judaism? This four-part course will help participants understand what forms AI takes today, its future potential and how Jewish thinking can help us understand it.
7pm. £72, £20 per session. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk