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
The Abbey Art Centre as a Postwar Refuge
Unpack the story of the Abbey Art Centre in north London, which was opened in 1946 by William Ohly, a British-German Jewish gallery owner and artist. The space was created to accommodate artists from all over the world, including Jewish refugees, providing affordable living and workspaces. This exhibition features paintings, sculptures, photographs, archival materials and more by those who frequented the centre.
7 October – 18 December
NW8 0RH. 020 7604 3991. www.benuri.org.uk
Freud Museum
40 Objects 40 Years
An exhibition commemorating 40 years of the Freud Museum London, the final home of the renowned neurologist and psychoanalyst. See never-before-displayed items from the daily lives of Sigmund Freud and his family, as well as key archival objects, including his world-famous couch. These objects are shown alongside reflections from artists, writers, psychologists, educators and community members, providing a contemporary perspective on Freud’s pioneering work.
Until 14 February 2027
NW3 5SX. www.freud.org.uk
JW3
Legacy: The Story of the Jewish Family Who Founded J Lyons and Fed Britain
The Jewish Museum London presents an exhibition dedicated to the J Lyons entrepreneurial empire. In the 1800s, the German Jewish family fled to Britain, where they established the famous Lyons tea houses and corner shops, baked a wedding cake for the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and built iconic London landmarks including the Trocadero and Strand Palace Hotel.
Until 18 October
Tree of Life: Stories from the Jewish Museum London’s Collection
Experience Jewish life in Britain through a collection of Judaica, artefacts, photography and documents taken from the Jewish Museum London’s 35,000 strong archive. Objects date back to the 1650s up until 2023.
Until 18 October
Simcha Snaps! Turning Memories Up to 13
Enjoy a treasure trove of bar and bat mitzvah photographs through the generations to celebrate JW3’s 13th year. Images donated by the community have been curated by writer and cartoonist Zoom Rockman and author and broadcaster Ivor Baddiel (brother of David), capturing the humour, heart and history of the Jewish ritual. The photos are displayed throughout the building and across the front windows, revealing the evolution of the ceremony over time.
Until 31 December
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, 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 Gallery
Renoir and Love
Couples waltzing in the summer air, lovers stealing a glance and families sharing a quiet moment all feature in Renoir’s Impressionist paintings, capturing the complexities of personal connections. The artist experimented with style and theme during the peak of his career and, for the first time in the UK, his iconic painting Bal au Moulin de la Galette (Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette) will be displayed. Despite being overtly antisemitic, his piece Pink and Blue depicts sisters Alice and Elisabeth (aka The Renoir Girls), daughters of a wealthy Parisian Jewish banking dynasty and their older sister Irène. Read more about The Renoir Girls in the Summer 2026 issue of JR.
3 October 2026 – 31 January 2027
WC2N 5DN. 020 7747 2885. www.nationalgallery.org.uk
National Portrait Gallery
Gillian Wearing: Spiritual Family
See four works from Gillian Wearing’s series Me As…, depicting the artist as Andy Warhol, Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe and Claude Cahun. These four names 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.
Until 18 October
Nan Goldin: You Never Did Anything Wrong
The Southbank Centre presents the first major UK exhibition of work by legendary social documentarian Nan Goldin since 2002. Don’t miss this chance to see the Jewish American artist and activist’s recent films – including the debut of You Never Did Anything Wrong, Part II – and photography that shine a light on the fragility of existence, be it human, animal or environmental. Her unique style captures the rawness of life, from the tumult of personal relationships to struggles with addiction and animal rescue in the Gaza strip.
24 November 2026 – 14 March 2027
SE1 8XX. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
St John’s Waterloo
Music, Migration and Mobility: The Story of Émigré Musicians from Nazi Europe in Britain
This touring exhibition curated by the Royal College of Music sets up for a month at St John’s Waterloo as part of the Festival of Britain’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Trace the journeys of a group of influential musicians from concentration camps, through post-war Britain and their lasting contributions to the Festival. There will also be an accompanying symposium and concert on Wednesday 9 September. Hosted by Insiders/Outsiders and sponsored by Jewish Renaissance. Read more about the Festival of Britain and the charity work undertaken by the St John’s Waterloo team in the Summer 2026 issue of JR.
Until 9 October
SE1 8TY. www.stjohnswaterloo.org
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 hundreds of pieces by contemporary artists. Frida: The Making of an Icon explores the transformative power of her work, highlighting her lasting influence, fandom and the communities who continue to claim her as their own.
Until 3 January 2027
Together on this Island: Émigré Art Networks in Britain
Discover the stories of émigrés who fled to Britain from Nazi Europe in the 1930s and 1940s. Based on a quote by Czech art historian JP Hodin – “Never before in the history of art in England have so many artists of foreign nationality worked together on this island” – the display explores the contribution to local culture by Jewish artists, art dealers, writers and teachers.
Until 20 June 2027
SE1 9TG. www.tate.org.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 forced work within concentration camps was brutal, with starvation, exhaustion, disease and physical abuse causing 2.5 million deaths. Despite its scale, this exploitation remains one of the least understood aspects of the period. Through covert photographs, eyewitness testimonies and documents exposing the complicit companies, the exhibition highlights the financial gain, power and responsibility associated with this dark chapter of history.
Until 30 October
J’Accuse! Press, Polemic and the Dreyfus Affair
Take an in depth look at the print culture surrounding The Dreyfus Affair when, in 1894, an innocent French Jewish army officer was falsely accused of treason and incarcerated on the former French penal colony, Devil’s Island. The trial was reported on worldwide, with the press and public questioning the innocence of Alfred Dreyfus, making it one of the first instances of a story going viral. J’Accuse explores the opinions of those who were for and against Dreyfus’s release through documents, newspaper cuttings and antisemitic caricatures.
4 November 2026 – 26 February 2027
WC1B 5DP. 020 7636 7247. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
Sunday 11 October
The Jewish Muezzin
Kobi Farhi presents his new book, a memoir set in 1990’s Jaffa, charting the rise of his band Orphaned Land. The Jewish Muezzin explores the themes of hope, resilience and courage that are particularly prevalent following the 7 October attacks. Farhi appears in conversation with heavy metal researcher and author Dr Keith Kahn-Harris, and the evening features a visual display and music from Israeli guitarist and songwriter Geva Alon.
6.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 14 October
Once the Deed is Done
Rachel Seiffert discusses her new novel, which is set at the end of World War II, following forced labourers and those who tried to help them. Once the Deed is Done uncovers the fate of Ukrainian siblings Sasha and Yeva, and British Jewish Red Cross worker Ruth Novak, who tries to find their missing mother in the post-war period and takes a deeper look at their displaced persons camp, which was situated next to a small German town.
6.30pm. FREE. Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 15 October
Revealing Israeli Secrets: The Wisdom of Hebrew Proverbs
Arnon Rubinstein explores how the Hebrew language can help to understand Israel and its people in his new book, Revealing Israeli Secrets.
7.30pm. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 20 October
Making the Cut
In his new book, comedian, journalist and formerly Britain’s youngest pro wrestler Max Olesker reveals how one night in Edinburgh kickstarted an unexpected existential crisis. After meeting the love of his life, Eliana, Olesker discovered that, despite already being Jewish, he would have to convert to Judaism if he wished to marry her. Fresh off a live run at Edinburgh Fringe, Olesker is joined by his wife Eliana to bare all about the story. Followed by a book signing. Read our review of Max Olesker's Fringe show on the JR blog.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 22 October
John Altman: The Hidden Man
Jewish Emmy- and BAFTA-winning musician John Altman is behind numerous hit songs, including the Monty Python classic ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’, and taught Michael Caine to sing. Find out more as he presents his memoir, Hidden Man: My Many Musical Lives, alongside piano-led, stripped-back versions of the songs he helped shape behind the scenes.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 27 October
Art Restoration Under the Nazi Regime: Revelation and Concealment
Dr Morwenna Blewett presents the first in-depth study of restoration and conservation in the National Socialist era, offering a fresh perspective on how fine, applied arts and various other cultural artefacts were physically manipulated between 1933 and 1948 to restore their original quality. Art Restoration Under the Nazi Regime shines a light on looted works and how preservation helped to conceal the way in which they were acquired, and the lack of retribution Nazis faced for their criminal acts.
6.30pm. FREE. Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Tuesday 29 October
Defeating Hate?
Writers Julia Franck and Katja Hoyer draw on their books, Worlds Apart and Weimer respectively, to explore how Germany has confronted fascism, silence and divided memories. They’ll look at how ordinary people have been shaped by historical conflict and what it takes to face the past with responsibility and compassion.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 5 November
Kristallnacht Commemoration: Ausländer
Michael Moritz discusses his new book, which explores the history of his family members who were murdered by the Nazis in commemoration of Kristallnacht. Ausländer follows Moritz’s search into a tragic, dark past, and the notion of being an outsider during the war. The evening includes conversation, music and time for reflection, and looks at how the lessons learnt from the Holocaust continue to resonate today.
7pm. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 8 November
Remembering Wartime Willesden
Judge Dr Jonathan Lewis talks about his book, Jewish Chaplaincy in the British Armed Forces, Captains of the Souls of Men, 1892-2021. Hear about the outstanding wartime contribution and ultimate sacrifice of many Jews who’ve been laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery.
1.45pm. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Monday 9 November
Conversations with an Executioner
Elżbieta Moczarska launches her late father Kazimierz Moczarski’s book. He fought the Nazi occupation as part of the resistance movement before being imprisoned by the Communist regime, and shared a cell with Jürgen Stroop, the Nazi war criminal responsible for the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto and the death of over 50,000 people. They spent 255 days together, and there Moczarski learned of Stroops unrepentant feelings towards his crimes, for which he would be executed. Moczarska is joined by translator Sean Gasper Bye and award-winning historian Roger Moorhouse. Followed by a Q&A and book signing.
6.05pm. £20. Imperial War Museum, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk
Wednesday 18 November
Refounding Israel with Judah Taub & James Harding
Judah Taub, IDF intelligence officer, presents his new book, which offers a fresh, start-up perspective on Israel’s current challenges. He discusses Moonshots for Israel with James Harding, former editor of The Times and director of BBC News, exploring what it means to rethink and rebuild the country following 7 October.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 19 November
After Belsen: Christian Encounters with Holocaust Survivors
Dr Robert Thompson examines how Christians responded to and were impacted by interacting with Holocaust survivors following the liberation of concentration camps. He shines a light on how, using testimonies and personal encounters, British and American Christians pioneered to fight against antisemitism and reapproach their faith, challenging the common belief of silence within Christianity in regard to the atrocities. Thompson appears in conversation with Professor Shirli Gilbert (University College London) and features a special exhibition of the materials he used to research the book, archived at the Wiener Holocaust Library.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Wednesday 25 November
The Silent City of Drancy: Social Housing and Holocaust Memory on the Margins of Paris
Stephanie Hesz-Wood launches her new book, which takes a closer look at Drancy, a town in Paris, and the building complex Cité de la Muette situated there, which later became the notorious internment camp during World War II. Hear about how the development was repurposed especially as an antechamber to Auschwitz before returning to its former location of social housing, which it still remains today. The Silent City of Drancy uses personal testimonies to reveal how one place can simultaneously be associated with historical horrors and contemporary familiarity. Followed by a Q&A, book signing and reception.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 26 November
A Woman Named Edith
Daria Santini presents the first English biography of Austrian photographer Edith Tudor Hart, charting her journey from Vienna to her huge artistic success. Discover her involvement in both the cultural and political events of the times, including her pioneering work behind the camera and her undetected double life as a Soviet agent.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Thursday 3 December
Celebrating Bukharian Food: A Cooking Class
Jewish chef and author Lilian Cordell shares some of her mother’s Bukharian recipes in her recent work, Miriam's Table, including the vegetarian pasta dish Dushpara. She’ll talk about the stories behind the food and demonstrate how they’re made, followed by a tasting.
2.30pm, 7.15pm. £35. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
BOOKS & POETRY
Tuesday 27 October
Bennett Arron: I Regret This Already
In his most personal performance yet, Bennett Arron reflects on the key moments in his life that didn’t exactly go to plan. I Regret This Already sees the ‘Jewelsh’ (Jewish Welsh) comedian shining a light on his fall-out with Sir Anthony Hopkins, becoming the victim of identity theft and even getting arrested.
7.30pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
COMEDY
Saturday 26 September
Shabbat of Welcome
Celebrate the first day of Sukkot with a special Shabbat service at West London Synagogue.
10.45am. FREE. West London Synagogue, W1H 5AU. www.wls.org.uk
Sunday 29 November
Chanukah Funukah
A fun-filled festive day for all the family to celebrate Chanukah, with music, tasty treats, arts, crafts and plenty of playtime.
2pm. £12 (child), £10 (adult). JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
family
Monday 5 October
Kobi Farhi
Kobi Farhi spotlights his unique voice and songwriting talents in an electro-acoustic set opened by guitar virtuoso Geva Alon. Farhi created oriental metal band Orphaned Land in 1991, which combines Mizrahi and Maghrebi Jewish, Arabic, Turkish and other Middle Eastern and North African musical traditions. He’s earned international acclaim for his pioneering cross-cultural collaborations, which were once considered impossible.
7pm. £23.67. The Water Rats, WC1X 8BZ. www.thewaterratsvenue.london
Wednesday 7 October
Outsider: Freud
Yair Qedar’s film spotlights psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, looking at how his experience of being a Jew in Vienna during Hitler’s rise shaped his theories and personal life. Real life footage, surreal animation and insights from fellow psychiatrists are combined in this documentary to reveal a new angle on Freud’s legacy.
6.30pm. FREE. University College London, WC1E 6BT. www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanities/institute-jewish-studies
Thursday 8 October
Jews Defending Jews
First-hand testimonies and archival footage expose the Jewish response to antisemitism in Britain. Marking 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street, Jews Defending Jews, produced in association with the Community Security Trust (CST), looks at how communities defended themselves against fascist violence and reflects on contemporary solidarity, resilience and collective action. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the CST.
7pm. £15. Central London location provided upon booking. www.bod.org.uk
Friday 23 October
Zoe Beloff
Zoe Beloff launches her new book alongside a double bill of two films. Life Forgotten explores the real Lower East Side cinema, Frank Seiden’s Variety Theatre, where Seiden and his sons improvised dialogue and performed Yiddish ballads, and which became a meeting place for radical young garment workers. This is the topic of her new book, which has the same title. Josephine the Singer, or the Mouse People commemorates Franz Kafka’s final short story, focusing on Josephine, a mouse whose extraordinary singing voice is indistinguishable from the ordinary sounds of the rest of her community. Beloff appears in conversation with Professor Ian Christie.
6.30pm. FREE. Birkbeck University, WC1H 0PY. www.bbk.ac.uk
Thursday 5 – Sunday 15 November
UK Jewish Film Festival
The annual festival of Jewish film returns, showcasing UK, European and world premieres of new features, documentaries and shorts. Beginning in London, the festival then tours the UK and also features a selection of films for online streaming (18-30 Nov).
Times, prices and venues vary. https://ukjewishfilm.org
Tuesday 8 December
The Rescue of the Jews of Syria (1970-1994)
JW3 and Harif present the final part in their film series focusing on the Syrian Jewish Community. The Rescue of the Jews of Syria describes the controlled life of Jews trapped in the country in the 1970s, the international human rights response to their plight and how Brooklyn’s Sephardi community united to free those who remained.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
FILM AND TV
MUSIC
Until Sunday 21 March
The Classical Music Series
JW3’s monthly Classical Music Series returns for a fourth season, showcasing some of the best artists from around the world. Kicking off with pianist Boris Giltburg (30 Sep); followed by a performance of Schubert’s Trout Quintet (28 Oct); and the trio Noam Greenberg, Jonian Kadesha and Vashti Hunter (17 Nov). The 2027 programme features the Aviv Quartet (24 Jan); Irène Duval leading a string quartet (21 Feb); and Piano Trios by Schubert and Beethoven presented by JW3 regulars (21 Mar).
Times vary. £30. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 1 October
Oi Va Voi – Cable Street 90
Klezmer band Oi Va Voi mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street, when a crowd of Jewish groups joined East London locals to block a march planned by Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists. Enjoy an evening of Jewish and eastern European sounds that deliver a message of shared humanity.
7.30pm. From £27.04. EartH Hackney, N16 8BH. www.earthackney.co.uk
Monday 5 October
Kobi Farhi
Award-winning Israeli singer and songwriter Kobi Farhi hosts an intimate, personal concert. Farhi founded the band Orphaned Land, which combines heavy metal with Jewish, Arabic, Turkish, Middle Easter and North African sounds. His new autobiography, The Jewish Muezzin, which tells the story of his wartime childhood and his journey to musical success, will also be available to purchase before its official release. He’s joined by Geva Alon, who founded rock trio The Flying Baby and has since carved out a solo career blending alternative country, rock and Americana.
7pm. £23.67. The Water Rats, WC1X 8BZ. www.dice.fm
Friday 9 October
Geva Alon
Classic psych-folk and modern Americana music combine for a raw, energetic musical journey courtesy of Israeli singer songwriter Geva Alon.
7pm. £13.50. Piano Smithfield, EC1A 9PN. www.dice.fm
Wednesday 21 October
Zohara
The lead singer of klezmer band Oi Va Voi blends the sounds of Tel Aviv’s electronic scene with London’s gender-fluid nightlife in her second album. Hear Zohara’s more recent tracks, as well as unreleased material from her upcoming 2027 album and reworked classics.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 22 October
Hop Skotshne
Klezmer band Hop Skotshne comprises of clarinet, trumpet, violin, French horn, accordion and poyk (type of drum) players. They use Eastern European Jewish wedding music and add their unique and inventive interpretations.
7.45pm. From £19. Arts Depot, N12 0GA. www.artsdepot.co.uk
Wednesday 28 October
The Ronnie Scott’s Story
Live jazz, narration, rare archive photos and video footage combine in an evening celebrating the iconic Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, founded in 1959, named after a Jewish East Ender and still operating today. Hear about the venue’s regulars, from pop stars to royalty to infamous gangsters including the Krays, presented by The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars.
7.30pm. From £19. Arts Depot, N12 0GA. www.artsdepot.org.uk
Sunday 8 November
Mahler’s 6th Symphony
The Fidelio Orchestra, conducted by Rafaello Morales, presents Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No 6. The Jewish composer, who was forced to convert to Catholicism to secure his job as director of the Vienna Opera, reflected on his feelings of uncertainty within his identity in this piece, which is the only work in his repertoire that ends in unredeemed tragedy.
7pm. From £25. The Barbican, EC2Y 8DS. www.barbican.org.uk
Tuesday 10 November
Shesh Besh: The Arab Jewish Ensemble
Musicians from the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and Israeli-Arabic artists come together to celebrate dialogue, hope and humanity that defies borders. Shesh Besh uses the vibrant sounds of the Middle East, classical pieces and original compositions to express how music can unite and connect people across divides. Read more about Shesh Besh in the Autumn 2026 issue of JR.
6.45pm. From £75. Central London location revealed upon booking. www.ipofoundationuk.com
Sunday 15 November
West from Here: A tribute to Mati Caspi
Tsemach Productions joins JW3 for a tribute to the late Israeli songwriter and composer Matti Caspi. A live ensemble of London-based musicians performs some of Caspi’s best known works and singer Riki Gal performs her collaborations with the musician.
8pm. From £35. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 22 November
Son of a Cantor Man: The Music of Irving Berlin, Maury Yeston, Kurt Weill and Harold Arlen
Celebrate the music of some of the most famous songwriters of the 20th century, all of whom were descendants of esteemed Jewish cantors. Reflect on the influence that Jewish music had on their work, as a West End cast performs the music live.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 3 – Tuesday 8 December
Bob Dylan
Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has experimented with folk, blues, rock and many other musical styles throughout his six-decade career. His works draw on political, social, philosophical and literary influences, some of which explore his Jewish heritage and upbringing in Hibbing, Minnesota. Following the huge success of his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour, Dylan hits London’s Royal Festival Hall stage for five nights.
7.30pm. SOLD OUT. Royal Festival Hall, SE1 8XX. www.southbankcentre.co.uk
TALKS
until 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
Thursday 8 October
Old Hatred, New Challenges: The Legal Response to Antisemitism
TV personality Rob Rinder appears in conversation with the Government’s independent reviewer of terrorism Jonathan Hall KC; UK Lawyers for Israel’s chief executive Jonathan Turner; The Times columnist Juliet Samuel and barrister Natasha Hausdorff, discussing the challenges of tackling the UK’s antisemitism from a legal standpoint.
6.45pm. £20. London location provided upon booking. www.jewishlawyers.co.uk
Sunday 11 October
The Merchant of Cable Street
Actor and writer Tracy-Ann Oberman MBE, novelist Howard Jacobson, director Brigid Larmour, and host Sir Trevor Phillips OBE discuss The Merchant of Cable Street – a modern twist on Shakespeare’s Venetian classic. Set in London’s Jewish East End, this production charts the rise of Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists and the Jewish residents, including Oberman’s great-grandmother, who stood against them. The panel explores Shakespeare, antisemitism, identity, and the enduring relevance of the Battle of Cable Street today.
6pm. £17.50. East London location provided upon booking. www.bod.org.uk
Wednesday 14 October
Jews Along the Silk Road
In 2011, a cache of Jewish documents that were discovered in a cave in Afghanistan dating back to 1000 CE. Shortly after, the world’s oldest siddur, from roughly 900 CE, featuring an early version of the Passover Haggadah, was found on the antiquities market. These findings prompted deeper research into the experiences of medieval Jews along the Silk Road, a network of ancient trade routes connecting China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Gary Rendsburg discusses how the materials, including manuscripts, serve as a reminder that the history of Judaism needs to consider the broadest geographical and chronological horizons.
6.30pm. FREE. University College London, WC1E 6BT. www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanities/institute-jewish-studies
Wednesday 21 October
Telling Tales
Deborah Freeman presents her collection of stories and reflects on the contradiction of avoiding Lashon Hara (commentary on others’ behaviour) and drawing on real people and relationships in her writings. Freeman’s intimate tales feature characters young and old, family tensions, political divides, love, loss and the shadows of history.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 22 October
Perpetrator & Victim
In the Wiener Holocaust Library’s current exhibition Perpetrator & Victim (see exhibitions), Mike Stone’s photography shows Holocaust survivors using everyday materials and equipment designed by the regime that tried to murder them. Stone discusses his images, shot on a 1938 Leica camera and period lenses from Nazi-era Germany, exploring the stories behind the works and inviting the audience to handle the prints and understand the likeness and irony between materials of culture and those of persecution.
6.30pm. FREE. Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Wednesday 28 October
Psychoanalysis and Laxatives: Philip Roth’s Composition of Portnoy’s Complaint
Philip Roth’s controversial novel Portnoy’s Complaint exposes erotomaniac Alexander Portnoy, looking specifically at how his obsession impacted his relationships, family and identity. Dr Andrew Dean shines a new light on the book, from the perspective of Jewish masculinity. He’ll discuss the experience of male Jews in the diaspora, gender inversion, insecurity and ideals.
6.30pm. FREE. University College London, WC1E 6BT. www.ucl.ac.uk/arts-humanities/institute-jewish-studies
Wednesday 4 November
Material Witness: Understanding the Objects of Auschwitz
Historian Professor Zoe Waxman presents the Alfred Wiener Holocaust Memorial Lecture, which takes a deeper look into the impact the remains preserved at Auschwitz concentration camp have on Holocaust history. Hear about how shoes, suitcases, brushes, glasses and even human hair can reveal more than just the scale of the horrific ordeals that occurred there.
6pm. FREE. ONLINE & The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Wednesday 4 November
Philippe Sands & Deborah Posel: In Conversation
Barrister Professor Philippe Sands KC and author Deborah Posel discuss the experiences of Jews in Lithuania before the Holocaust, drawing on their recent books. Sands’s East West Street traces his family history within the former Pale of Settlement, and Posel’s A Darker Shade of Pale tells the story of her grandfather, Maurice, who migrated from Lithuania to the British Colony of South Africa,
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 8 November
Dealing with the Tragic in Life: Mahler, Judaism and Beyond
Rafaello Morales and Edward Seckerson discuss the role of art Gustav Mahler’s life, based on his ‘tragic’ Sixth Symphony, which will be performed after (see music). The musician experienced tumultuous social and cultural shifts and questioned his identity, faith and meaning throughout his life in Europe. His music often expressed both hope and despair, tenderness and violence, superiority and catastrophe, and this talk explores how artists use their niche to respond to suffering.
5.45pm. From £20. The Barbican, EC2Y 8DS. www.jewishliteraryfoundation.co.uk
Tuesday 10 November
Will Self in Conversation
Author Will Self discusses his career, latest book and reflections on Jewishness and antisemitism with Chris Gribble. Self has written 14 novels, including The Quantity Theory of Mortality, a darkly satirical story of English characters trapped in a cycle of polite chitchat at dinner parties, until someone says something outrageous.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 10 November
Phil Rosenberg and Lord Leigh of Hurley in Conversation
Join the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Phil Rosenberg, and the president of Westminster Synagogue, Lord Howard Leigh of Hurley, in conversation. The former was appointed to his position at 38 years old, making him the youngest president in the Board’s 264-year history. Followed by a Q&A.
7.30pm. £20. Westminster Synagogue, SW7 1BX. www.westminstersynagogue.org
Thursday 12 November
Refugee Lives: Stories of Exile, Resilience, and Community
This talk, hosted by the Association of Jewish Refugees, traces the lives of German speaking Jewish refugees and émigrés who fled Nazi persecution, and explores the lasting impact these stories have on today’s British Jews.
7pm. £10. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 17 November
The Jews of Florence & Tuscany
Deborah Jay discusses the rich, complex and often overlooked history of Jewish life in Florence and Tuscany. She’ll look at the role Jews had in the city’s cultural and economic successes, look at the community over Napolean’s emancipation, Facism and Nazism and the rebuilding of the Jewish community following political changes.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 18 November
Jewish Patrons: The Career Choices of Pierre-Auguste Renoir
To coincide with the National Gallery’s exhibition Renoir and Love (see exhibitions), art historian Sophie Lachowsky examines Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s complex relationship with his Jewish patrons, and the transition of his artistic styles. The impressionist artist was known for portraying fleeting moments of love, everyday life and dance hall culture in his works, before he moved over to focus on more classical sculptures.
7.15pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 29 November
A Tale of Two Cities, One Legacy
Ittai Frank hosts a virtual exploration of early 20th century Europe, looking at how Jewish thinkers, artists and architects were behind concepts that shaped the future. This two-part lecture focuses on Jewish émigrés who settled in pre-war Britain, the radical ideas they bought with them and those that found homes in the emerging Jewish State.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 1 December
Willesden Jewish Cemetery: Legends in Jewish History
A virtual tour exploring the stories of those laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Taking place in JW3’s cinema, examine the 140 years of the burial ground looking at the stories of a famous scientist; a Rothschild father and son; a London teenager; the royal illusionist; two business moguls; Lady Chutzpah; the son of an East End clothes dealer and more.
2.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 13 December
Mendelssohn’s Elijah
Alyth Choral Society presents Mendelssohn’s Elijah for their winter concert.
7pm. £23. North Western Reform Synagogue, NW11 7EN. www.alyth.org.uk
THEATRE
until Saturday 26 September
Annie Wobbler: Revisited
Olivier Award-winning actor Nichola McAuliffe reprises the role of Annie Wobbler, which was first written for her by Arnold Wesker in 1981. Based on memories from the playwright's Jewish childhood in London's East End, 'Annie' is portrayed in three parts by different characters: a tramp-cum-cleaner, a working class student and a successful writer. In this revised version, we meet Anna, a highly anxious Gen Z graduate; Annabella, a novelist-turned-cougar; and Annie, a homeless senior revisiting her past.
7.30pm, 3pm (Sat & Sun only). From £20, from £18 concs. Finborough Theatre, SW10 9ED. www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
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
until Saturday 10 October
Holy Fool
Celebrated composer Dmitiri Shostakovich and Joseph Stalin had a famously fraught cat-and-mouse relationship. Holy Fool explores the power the dictator wielded over the musician’s life and the codes hidden in Shostakovich’s works that simultaneously exposes and conceals his overt compliance and inner defiance, in a story exploring tyranny, courage, resistance and human spirit.
7.30pm, 3pm (Thu & Sat only). £22.50. Park Theatre, N4 3JP. www.parktheatre.co.uk
Until Saturday 10 April 2027
Sinatra the Musical
Explore the man behind the icon in Sinatra the Musical, Joe DiPietro’s new West End show based on the life and career of legendary artist Frank Sinatra. From the New York performance that changed his life as a 27-year-old Italian American to his prolific affairs and his tumultuous relationship with the press. His greatest hits, such as ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ and ‘Send in the Clowns’, were written by Jewish American composers, and the singer was known for passionately defending Jews and the State of Israel. The show features over 20 timeless hits, including ‘That’s Life’ and ‘Come Fly with Me’.
7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). From £20. Aldwych Theatre, WC2B 4DF. www.aldwychtheatre.com
Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 September
Present Laughter
A revival on Noël Coward’s 1939 play, which for the first time, stars a woman in the lead role of Garry Essendine. Tracy-Ann Oberman takes on the role of hugely successful actor Geri Essendine. As the beloved star is about to embark on a tour of Africa, she finds herself weighed down by the adoration of fans and lovers, not to mention her estranged husband. Can she separate herself from her stardom - and does she even want to? See this touring production to find out.
2.30pm, 7.30pm. From £15.60. Richmond Theatre, TW9 1QJ. www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre
Wednesday 7 October – Saturday 7 November
The Banality of Evil: Hannah Arendt, France, 1940
Julia Pascal’s latest work combines satire, physical theatre and cabaret to tell the true story of three German Jewish ‘undesirables’ in 1940. Hannah Arendt, who later became on of the 20th century’s most influential political theorists, artist Charlotte Salomon and Communist schoolgirl Eva Daube were imprisoned in Camp Gurs and faced an impossible decision – do they stay and hope for liberation or risk their lives to escape into an uncertain world? Discover more about the pivotal moment that shaped the writings of 33-year-old Arendt on power and human rights.
7pm, 6.30pm (Fri & Sat), 3pm (Sat only). From £15. Arcola Theatre, E8 3DL. www.arcolatheatre.com
Thursday 8 – Sunday 18 October
From the Heart
Jewish lyricist Don Black returns to the West End to pay tribute to the New York cabaret scene. Enjoy a selection of well-known hits as well as new songs co-written by artists including Gary Barlow, Natasha Bedingfield and Debbie Wiseman. An award-winning cast leads proceedings, with a surprise guest every show.
3pm, 7.30pm. From £35. The Garrick Theatre, WC2H 0HH. www.thegarricktheatre.co.uk
Thursday 15 October – Saturday 28 November
The Pianist
Thom Southerland’s stage adaptation of Polish musician Wladyslaw Szpilman’s best-selling memoir pays tribute to the golden age of Jewish Warsaw, reflecting on his experiences there during World War II and the Holocaust. Virtuoso performers depict the pre-war vibrant music culture of the city before Nazi persecution destroyed it and Szpilman was forced into hiding.
7.30pm, 3pm (Thu & Sat only). From £15. Park Theatre, N4 3JP. www.parktheatre.co.uk
Sunday 1 November
Joyfully Jewish: Strangers in a Strange Land
Echoes Theatre Company and The Jewish Cabaret present new, comedic short plays and original songs that focus on the highs and lows of global Jewish migration.
7pm. £18. JW3, NW3, 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 6 December – Sunday 3 January
Dick Whittingberg Gets into a Pickle
Since creating the first ever Jewish panto in 2023, Nick Cassenbaum has returned annually with a new fun-fuelled farce. This year is no different, with a twist on the classic story of Dick Whittington. Journeying to London to find his fortune, Dick Whittingberg encounters magic cats and evil rats, with a sprinkling of songs, baddies and gags along the way.
Times vary. From £27, from £17 children. JW3, NW3 6ET. 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
Thursday 24 September
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.
2.30pm. £22.50. Criterion Theatre, W1J 9HR. www.jewishliteraryfoundation.co.uk
Tuesday 20 October
An East End Village: Mile End and Stepney
Blue Badge Guide Rachel Kolsky leads a walking tour through London’s East End. She’ll explore Jewish landmarks, including the Sephardi Novo cemetery, Stepney Jewish School and the Rothschild dwellings.
11am. £20. Meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 1 November
Jewish Life, Heritage and Hidden Stories
A gentle stroll around Willesden Jewish Cemetery, exploring the stories of those buried there.
11am. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Sunday 8 November
London's Jewish History over the Centuries
Marc Gardiner leads a group from Aldgate across the City, sharing the fascinating story of London’s Jews from medieval times to today. Alongside key historical sites, he’ll talk about the experiences of those bought to England by William the Conqueror; their expulsion under Edward I; the resettlement under Cromwell; and subsequent Jewish immigration.
2pm. £20. London meeting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 22 November & Sunday 13 December
Mitzvah Day Guided Walk: Jewish Communal Leaders
Discover the fascinating stories of former communal leaders who’ve been buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, including chief rabbis, philanthropists and educators.
11am, 12.30pm. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Sunday 6 December& Sunday 20 December
Hidden Histories: The Stories of Willesden Jewish Cemetery
Discover the stories behind the familiar and lesser-known names of those buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Hear about how Tesco got its name, the uproar surrounding the site’s first burial and the real story behind the discovery of DNA in this walk in the grounds of nearly 30,000 graves.
11am. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
WALKS
WORKSHOPS
Monday 21 September – sunday 4 October
Sadeh Farm Sukkot Immersive
Gain agricultural knowledge in this hands-on, two-week immersive experience, rooted in Jewish traditions, with activities ranging from planting crops to caring for chickens. Participants are invited to explore the natural world while learning about the historical and spiritual significance of Sukkot by preparing the structure for the farm’s sukkah, lulav (closed frond from a date palm tree) and etrog (Israeli citron).
Price TBC. Sadeh Farm, BR6 7QA. www.sadehfarm.co.uk
Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 October
The Strength Between Us
A weekend of films, conversations, workshops, performances and gatherings marking the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street, when local Jewish communities joined socialists, trade unionists and immigrants to oppose Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists. Highlights include a screening of They Shall Not Pass: The Battle of Cable Street, a live Cursed Objects podcast exploring the lasting legacy of the events, and a panel discussion on how cross-cultural alliances can be built to promote racial and social justice.
12pm. FREE. Whitechapel Gallery, E1 7QX. www.whitechapelgallery.org
Saturday 24 October
Exploring Light
Rediscover the meaning of light, from physical to metaphorical, life-giving to life sustaining, in this workshop. Explore the many Jewish perspectives on the notion, which has been thought on by rabbis, scholars, poets and mystics for millions of years.
2pm. £20-£25. Westminster Synagogue, SW7 1BX. www.westminstersynagogue.org
Thursday 19 November
Commemoration of the Exodus of Jews from Arab Countries and Iran
Communal leaders and diplomats join Harif and JW3 to commemorate the exodus of Jews from Arab countries and Iran. This year’s theme is Jews of Egypt: 70 Years since Suez, and features live testimonies, music from Guy Schalom and his band, the chance to browse Harif’s exhibition celebrating London’s Sephardi culture, and a light reception.
7pm. £10. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 22 November
Mitzvah Day
Enjoy a Jewish-led interfaith morning of volunteering in the tranquil grounds of Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Mitzvah Day invites all ages to help support the site’s biodiversity and wildlife by collecting leaves, twigs and weeds for its composting programme.
10.30am. FREE. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Sunday 22 November
Sigd
Celebrate the Ethiopian Jewish festival of Sigd, a day of fasting to celebrate the relationship between Jews and God. JW3 presents an afternoon of music and storytelling for those familiar with and wishing to discover Sigd for the first time. Hear first-hand stories of life in Gondar city, enjoy traditional Ethiopian dance and music, sample local coffee and food, and browse unique handcrafted items from the community.
12pm. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Friday 27 November
Czech Scrolls Commemorative Service
A memorial service for the Jewish communities of Hořovice, Horažd’ovice and Přeštice who perished in the Holocaust. Hear readings from their Bar and Bat Mitzvah and festival service scrolls, remember their past and celebrate Jewish life today.
6.30pm. FREE. Westminster Synagogue, SW7 1BX. www.westminstersynagogue.org