LONDON
ART
30 Curtain Road
The Nova Exhibition
An immersive installation paying tribute to the fatal moment the music stopped at The Nova Music Festival in Israel, at 6.29am on 7 October 2023. Explore the pain, loss and action that has ensued as a result of the attack which started the current Israel-Gaza war, pay homage to the victims and examine the location’s brutal aftermath. The exhibition also captures the spirit of the Tribe of Nova in the healing room, under the hopeful plea that ‘we will dance again’.
Until 5 July
EC2A 3NZ. www.novaexhibition.com
APT Gallery
The Books of Lilith
Seven female abstract and figurative painters present their artistic responses to the Jewish folklore character Lilith, who refused to submit to Adam. She was subsequently banned from Eden and painted as demonic, but is remembered today as a feminist matriarch. This exhibition provides a contemporary look at the tale, retelling Lilith’s story and placing her legacy in the wider history of feminism and modern art.
4 – 14 June
SE8 4SA. 020 8694 8344. www.aptstudios.org
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.
Until 4 September
NW8 0RH. 020 7604 3991. www.benuri.org.uk
The Courtauld Gallery
Hepworth in Colour
For the first time, early works by sculptor Barbara Hepworth, who greatly influenced Jewish émigré artists in Britain, are shown alongside some of her most important drawings from the decade. This exhibition also displays examples of her coloured pieces from the 1950s and 1960s, exploring her original, unexpected use of tones.
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.
Until 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.
Until 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
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait
Explore the life, career and legacy of Marilyn Monroe in an exhibition marking what would have been her 100th birthday. Portraits by artists including Andy Warhol and James Gill are shown alongside personal belongings, offering insight into the woman behind the icon. Monroe converted to Judaism before marrying Arthur Miller and maintained her Jewish identity even after their divorce.
4 June – 6 September
WC2H 0HE. 020 7306 0055. www.npg.org.uk
Southbank Centre
Anish Kapoor
Discover immersive sculptures and paintings by Anish Kapoor, who returns to the Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery almost 30 years after his first major UK show there. This retrospective features some of the Jewish Indian artist’s most iconic works, including steel mirror sculptures and objects coated in Vantablack, possibly the world’s darkest material which, controversially, Kapoor gained exclusive use of in 2016 – a move that maddened the art world. Plus, see several new works, including two huge installations in his signature red. Read more about Anish Kapoor on the JR blog and in the Spring 2026 issue of JR.
16 June – 18 October
SE1 8XX. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Tate Modern
Frida: The Making of an Icon
This exhibition showcases more than 30 works by revolutionary artist Frida Kahlo, who identified as Jewish despite her heritage being questioned throughout her career. Kahlo was known for showing the many sides of her personality in her art — from a dedicated wife and intellectual to a political activist — and her story went on to inspire more than 200 works by contemporary artists. Frida: The Making of an Icon explores the transformative power of her work, highlighting her lasting influence, her fandom, and the communities who continue to claim her as their own.
Until 3 January
SE1 9TG. www.tate.org.uk
WIENER HOLOCAUST LIBRARY
Life and Death in Saharan Vichy Labour Camps
The Wiener Holocaust Library’s archival documents uncover the little-known story of forced labour camps in the Sahara throughout World War II, which held Jewish, Spanish Republican and local political prisoners. Run by the Vichy French authorities, the labour camps exploited its captives to construct a trans-Saharan railway, a project supported by the Nazis. Explore the violence and mistreatment that occurred and learn about the experiences of the German Jewish men who found themselves there.
Until 20 August
Nazi Slave Labour: Perpetrators and Victims
This exhibition reveals how perpetrators of the Holocaust, including the SS, chemical giant IG Farben, and the arms manufacturer Krupp, profited from the exploitation of slave labour. The 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.
Until 30 October
WC1B 5DP. 020 7636 7247. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
until 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
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
Tuesday 21 July
Unknown Enemy: The Hidden Nazi Force that Built the Third Reich
In his recent book, Dr Charles Dick examines the Third Reich’s slave labour programme and the Nazi engineering and military Organisation Todt (OT), which exploited millions of workers from conquered countries. The OT was at the heart of Hitler’s regime, but has been vastly removed from history. Unknown Enemy unpicks the story of the establishment across Europe, highlighting the survivors of its violence.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Tuesday 25 August
Homophobia in Nazi Concentration Camps: Perceptions in Prisoner Narratives
In her new book, Dr Uta Rautenberg presents a groundbreaking study on homophobia amongst Holocaust prisoners. Homophobia in Nazi Concentration Camps breaks the stigma of queerness at the time, exploring the experiences of those who’d had same-sex experiences during their persecution. Rautenberg uses early testimonies, oral histories, memoirs and extensive archival material to analyse both female and male stories, shining a light on gender differences and reinforcing the need for an inclusive approach to history.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 27 August
The Emperor of Atlantis or The Refusal of Death Facsimile
Discover the history of an opera composed and rehearsed in the Theresienstadt ghetto. The Emperor of Atlantis, created by Viktor Ullmann and Peter Kien – both of whom were murdered in Auschwitz – was never performed, but documents relating to the work miraculously survived the Holocaust; Ulmann’s manuscripts ended up in Switzerland and Kien’s at London’s Wiener Holocaust Library. The facsimile combines these materials with Ullmann’s full musical score, Kien’s handwritten libretto and various Holocaust writings and will be presented by its editor, Heidy Zimmerman and Jeremy Adler, whose father was responsible for the works surviving the wartime years.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Monday 7 September
Paper Tombs: Post-Holocaust Memorial Books and Prewar Jewish Life
Dr Jennifer Rich presents her upcoming book, which explores the works of collective memory dedicated to the towns and communities that had been destroyed in the Holocaust. Paper Tombs: Post-Holocaust Memorial Books and Prewar Jewish Life looks at yizker biker, a survivor-created initiative of archival materials including text, images and community memorial to document pre-war Jewish life and acts of remembrance created in the aftermath.
6.30pm. REE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
BOOKS & POETRY
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 12 July
One Beach, Three Languages: A Family Storytelling Day
Enjoy a Jewish children’s story presented in English (12.30pm), Hebrew (2pm) and Russian (3.30pm) followed by ocean-themed crafts. Hosted by JW3 in partnership with PJ Library.
Times vary. £8 per child, £6 per adult. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 9 August
Family Disco on the Beach
Dance, craft and play at JW3’s beach, where Lanaland will provide the tunes and PJ Library will provide the books at a disco for all the family to enjoy.
10.30am. £5 per child, £7 per adult. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Saturday 26 September
Shabbat of Welcome
Celebrate the first day of Succot with a special shabbat service at West London Synagogue.
10.45am. FREE. West London Synagogue, W1H 5AU. www.wls.org.uk
family
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
Sunday 26 July
Between the Temples
Grieving cantor Ben Gottlieb lost his singing voice and his faith after his wife’s sudden death in Nathan Silver’s 2024 dark comedy. Between the Temples follows Gottlieb as he’s reunited with his grade school music teacher, cueing his fresh start in life. The screening is accompanied by an open conversation, inviting the audience to share their stories of reinvention.
6pm. £16.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 16 August
A Serious Man
The Coen Brothers’s 2009 dark comedy-drama is centred around a Jewish physics professor who finds his life in turmoil when his wife demands a divorce, his brother moves in and his career is threatened. See what happens when Larry Gopnik seeks advice from three rabbis to cope with his unravelling life in A Serious Man, which explores themes of meaningless suffering, fate and the limits of logic.
6pm. £16.50. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
FILM AND TV
MUSIC
until Saturday 4 July
We Had a World
Joshua Harmon, whose known for exploring his Jewish identity within his works, presents a personal, satirical portrayal of his New York childhood. We Had a World unpicks the influence Harmon’s eccentric grandmother had on him and uncovers the secrets of cruelty and enduring love lurking within the family’s history. Directed by Josh Seymour.
7.45pm. £28, £10 concessions. Hampstead Theatre, NW3 3EU. www.hampsteadtheatre.com
UNTIL Thursday 30 July
JMI Community Orchestra
Internationally acclaimed cellist Shirley Smart leads a monthly rehearsal exploring Maqam, Middle Eastern classical Jewish, klezmer and folk music. Suitable for musicians grade five and up looking for professional leadership and an inclusive community.
7pm. From £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
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 14 June
Songs of the Elements: Water
Alison Smart Fisher leads Alyth Choral Society’s performance of Songs of the Elements: Water, which features Songs of the Fleet and Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo.
4pm. £15. North Western Reform Synagogue, NW11 7EN. www.alythchoralsociety.com
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 1 July
The Ollie Usiskin Quartet
Drummer Ollie Usiskin is joined by his long-standing quartet – Dirk Vetter (sax), Aled Thomas (piano) and Rob Statham (bass), for a klezmer and modern jazz concert.
7.30pm. £16. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 22 July
Sabra Swing: Jews in Jazz
Music by Irving Berlin, George Gerhswin, Carole King and many more feature in Sabra Swing’s performance, which explores the world of Jews in jazz and their influence on the Great American Songbook.
7.30pm. £24. The Radlett Centre, WD7 8HL. www.radlettcentre.co.uk
Saturday 25 July – Saturday 12 September
Tao of Glass
Jewish composer Philip Glass accompanies performer and director Phelim McDermott in a story exploring life, loss and the search for inspiration. This personal collaboration combines thoughts on life, death and Taoist wisdom (an ancient Chinese philosophy focused on living in harmony), and features an ensemble of musicians and puppeteers.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £25. Soho Place, W1D 3BG. www.sohoplace.org
TALKS
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 16 June
A Proximity to Violence: What Channel Islands’ Labourers Experienced in Alderney
Dr Gilly Carr discusses what happened in Alderney under Nazi occupation, when Jewish prisoners along with other victims were subject to forced labour and brutal living conditions. Nearly 8,000 people passed through the island at the time, some of whom witnessed the atrocities and later gave evidence to war crime investigators. This talk, given in relation to the Wiener Holocaust Library’s exhibition Nazi Slave Labour: Perpetrators and Victims, explores why this part of history is so vital to Holocaust remembrance today.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Tuesday 23 June
Middle East Update
Analyst Jonathan Paris discusses the latest issues currently shaping the Middle East. He’ll cover the longevity of the Islamic regime, as well as the possibility of peace between Israel and Syria, the disarming of Hamas and Hezbollah, and Trump’s continued support.
7.30pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 25 June
Jews in Hairdressing
Discover the remarkable imprint Jewish hairdressers made on 20th-century popular culture. Presented by Zuleika Rodgers, daughter of Dublin’s first Vidal Sassoon stylist and author of an upcoming book exploring the topic; and Leslie Cavendish, a hairdresser whose celebrity clients included The Beatles, Bee Gees and more.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 1 July
Barbara Hepworth: Carving New Spaces
Coinciding with the Courtauld Gallery’s exhibition, Hepworth in Colour (see Art), Sophia Lachowsky discusses how Barbara Hepworth’s body of work engaged with Jewish artists who migrated to Britain. The sculptor, who had a fascination with colour, used organic shapes and ‘pierced’ holes to reflect a deep connection between human figures and the natural world.
7.15pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 2 July
Gender and Slave Labour
Dr Christine Schmidt (The Wiener Holocaust Library) and Professor Dan Stone (University of London) explore Markkleeberg and Christianstadt, the two female-only subcamps of Buchenwald and Gross-Rosen concentration camps. This talk, which is taking place in relation to the library’s exhibition Nazi Slave Labour: Perpetrators and Victims, uncovers the horrors that ensued, with women being forced to produce ammunition and aircrafts in brutal conditions with exposure and no protection to dangerous chemicals and machinery.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Sunday 5 July
Remembering the Fallen with No Known Grave
To mark 80 years since the end of World War II, AJEX (The Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen) presents a special service of remembrance at the Jewish War Memorial in Willesden Jewish Cemetery.
1pm. Price tbc. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.ajex.org.uk
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
Thursday 16 July
Chinese-Jewish Life and Music in Kaifeng
Dr Alexander Knapp uncovers the little-known background of Chinese-Jewish music in an audio-visual presentation. Discover historical and contemporary accounts of everyday life for Jews in 12th-century Kaifeng and look into the vocal and instrumental practices associated with the province’s synagogue. Knapp will also share some of the insights he gained from meeting with Chinese academics and informants during his visits to Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing over the years. Kosher Chinese refreshments provided.
6.30pm. FREE. University College London, WC1E 6BT. www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanities/institute-jewish-studies
Thursday 23 July
The Nuremberg Trials
Imperial War Museum’s curator and Holocaust expert Dr James Bulgin opens an exploration of the Nuremberg trials, which brought Nazi officials to justice for their war crimes and helped shape international human rights laws. He’s followed by Natalie Livingstone, author of The Nuremberg Women, a recent book spotlighting the stories of eight extraordinary women connected to the most famous trials of the 20th century. The book features well-documented figures such as journalist Rebecca West, cabaret star-turned-war correspondent Erika Mann and painter Laura Knight, alongside lesser-known women whose contributions have largely been forgotten over the years.
6.30pm. £20. Imperial War Museum, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk
Wednesday 2 September
Echoes from Auschwitz: Jewish Child Forced Labourers and the Holocaust
Professor Johannes-Dieter Steinhert highlights the living and working experience for children during and after the Holocaust. Touching on a research project using hundreds of testimonies, contemporary and post-war documents, hear the experiences of some 1.5 million Jewish young people, a minority of which escaped death as forced labourers, in hiding and with partisan groups. Those who did live through the atrocities were subject to both external and internal wounds, scars, disabilities and trauma, and many lost all trust in adults.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Monday 14 – Sunday 27 September
Benjamin Disraeli
Get an insight into how Benjamin Disraeli’s Jewishness shaped his life and political career in the gothic surrounds of his former residence. This talk takes place at 1pm daily. Hosted in association with B’nai B’rith UK.
10am-5pm (talk 1pm). FREE. Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
THEATRE
until Sunday 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 Saturday 4 July
We Had a World
Joshua Harmon, whose known for exploring his Jewish identity within his works, presents a personal, satirical portrayal of his New York childhood. We Had a World unpicks the influence Harmon’s eccentric grandmother had on him and uncovers the secrets of cruelty and enduring love lurking within the family’s history. Directed by Josh Seymour.
7.45pm. £28, £10 concs. Hampstead Theatre, NW3 3EU. www.hampsteadtheatre.com
Until Sunday 4 October
Oliver!
Lionel Bart’s musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel returns for its second year at the Gielgud Theatre, featuring all of the acclaimed original cast. The orphaned Oliver Twist finds himself in London’s dark underworld with Fagin and his team of pickpockets, led by the Artful Dodger. With a score of well-known songs, including ‘Oom Pah Pah’ and ‘As Long as He Needs Me’, follow Oliver as he looks for happiness in Dickens’ story of the boy who asked for more.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Wed, Thu & Sat), 7pm (Tue only). From £35. Gielgud Theatre, W1D 6AR. www.oliverthemusical.com
Thursday 4 June
Joyfully Jewish: Getting On
A selection of new, short satires and original musical theatre songs portray the joys (and oys) of being older and Jewish. Presented by Echoes Theatre Co and The Jewish Cabaret.
7.30pm (Sun), 7.45pm (Thu). £19. Arts Depot, N12 0GA. www.artsdepot.co.uk
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
Sunday 7 June
Joyfully Jewish: Getting On
A selection of new, short satires and original musical theatre songs portray the joys (and oys) of being older and Jewish. Presented by Echoes Theatre Co and The Jewish Cabaret.
3pm. £23.92. New Wimbledon Theatre, SW19 1QG. www.atgtickets.com/shows/joyfully-jewish-getting-on
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
Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 & Friday 17 July
Fagin: Hero or Villain?
In ode to the acclaimed stage adaptation of Oliver!, Steve Furst puts a new spin on the story and legacy of Fagin. This intimate, immersive performance of songs and sketches traces the transformation of a character dubbed “the Jew” 257 times by Charles Dickens, from villain to loveable legend. Furst inhabits a range of characters alongside the crook, first charting Fagin’s journey from page to stage, before exploring Lionel Bart’s musical reimagining of him.
7.30pm. £20. Circle and Star Theatre, NW3 6TE. www.circleandstar.com
Saturday 25 July – Saturday 12 September
Tao of Glass
See the West End premiere of 10 new pieces of music by veteran Jewish American composer Philip Glass, presented by his long-time collaborator, the British actor and director Phelim McDermott, who'll be accompanied by an ensemble of musicians and puppeteers. Inspired by a dream, Tao of Glass explores life, death and Taoist wisdom (the ancient Chinese philosophy devoted to living in harmony with the universe).
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £25. Soho Place, W1D 3BG. www.sohoplace.org
Tuesday 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
Wednesday 23 September
Radicals to Rinkoffs: Whitechapel
Blue Badge guide Rachel Kolsky and Esther Rinkoff (of the Rinkoff baking dynasty) explore Jewish Whitechapel, including synagogues, revolutionaries and Boris the photographer. They also reveal the story behind Rinkoff’s (founded in 1911), the only surviving Jewish family-owned bakery in Whitechapel.
10.30am. £20. East London meeting point provided upon booking. www.golondontours.com
WALKS
WORKSHOPS
Until 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 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 London’s Jewish East End.
Times and London locations vary. From £45. www.jmi.org.uk