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 15 July
EC2A 3NZ. www.novaexhibition.com
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’, represents the refugee artists who had to reconfigure their language when arriving in their new homes, artistically capturing the experience of migration. The artworks in this exhibition highlight the difficulties that came from navigating a new language. Explore pieces by Gustav Metzger, Samuel (Shmuel) Dresner, Alfred Lomnitz, Hugo Dachinger and more.
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.
Until 6 September
Somerset House, WC2R 0RN. 020 3947 7777. www.courtauld.ac.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
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
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait
Explore the life, career and legacy of Marilyn Monroe in an exhibition marking what would have been her 100th birthday. The Golden Age icon converted to Judaism before marrying playwright Arthur Miller and maintained her Jewish identity even after their divorce. Portraits by artists including Andy Warhol and James Gill are shown alongside personal belongings, offering insight into the woman behind the icon.
Until 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.
Until 18 October
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 enjoys a showing at St John’s Waterloo as part of the celebrations of the Festival of Britain’s 75th Anniversary. Trace the journeys of a group of influential musicians through concentration camps and post-war Britain, as well as their lasting contribution to the Festival. Read more about the Music, Migration and Mobility project in the July 2020 issue of JR and read about the Festival of Britain in the Summer 2026 issue.
9 September – 9 October
SE1 8TY. www.stjohnswaterloo.org
Swiss Cottage Library
Between Life and Death
Discover the experiences of Holocaust survivors and rescuers from 15 European countries in this travelling exhibition, which was originally displayed at the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels. The work pays extra attention to diplomats who used their power to help those affected by the atrocities and explores the courage and will of those involved against a broader historical background.
Until 31 July
NW3 3HA. 020 7974 4444. www.camden.gov.uk/swiss-cottage-library
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
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 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
WC1B 5DP. 020 7636 7247. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
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
Sunday 2 August
Jews by the Seaside: Bournemouth’s Jewish Hotels
Social historian Pam Fox draws on her 2021 book to dive into the world of Jewish hotels and guesthouses in Bournemouth. She’ll talk about boarding houses, ballroom dances and the unique culture that flourished on the south coast. Featuring a Q&A and signed copies available to purchase.
2pm. £5. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
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. She shines a light on the stigma surrounding queerness at the time, exploring the experiences of those who had same-sex relationships despite their persecution. Rautenberg uses early testimonies, oral histories, memoirs and extensive archival material to analyse both female and male stories, 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 or The Refusal of Death, 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 work found its way to London’s Wiener Holocaust Library. The facsimile, which was edited by Heidy Zimmerman, combines these materials with Ullmann’s full musical score, Kien’s handwritten libretto and various Holocaust writings. Zimmerman presents the recreated manuscript here alongside 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 works of collective memory dedicated to the towns and communities that had been destroyed in the Holocaust. Paper Tombs looks specifically at yizker bikher, a survivor-created initiative of archival materials including text, images and community memorial to document pre-war Jewish life and acts of remembrance.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
BOOKS & POETRY
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 Sukkot with a special Shabbat service at West London Synagogue.
10.45am. FREE. West London Synagogue, W1H 5AU. www.wls.org.uk
family
Wednesday 15 July
Shiva Baby
When college student Danielle attends a Jewish mourning ceremony (shiva) with her parents, she unexpectedly runs into her ex-girlfriend and her older, married sugar daddy, who is there with his wife and baby. This special screening of Emma Seligman’s 2021 film is proceeded by a comedy set from Rachel Creeger, exploring teenage angst and embarrassing moments.
7pm. £16.50. 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
Wednesday 9 September
Émigré Cabaret
Discover the contribution made to music and British legacy by refugees from Nazi Europe. Timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, to which many emigres played a part, this cabaret recital is performed by Norbert Meyn (tenor) and Christopher Gould (piano). Read more about the Festival of Britain in the Summer 2026 issue of JR.
7pm. £20, £15 concs. St John’s Waterloo, SE1 8TY. www.insidersoutsidersfestival.org
FILM AND TV
MUSIC
UNTIL Thursday 30 July
JMI Community Orchestra
Internationally acclaimed cellist Shirley Smart leads a monthly rehearsal exploring Maqam, Middle Eastern classical Jewish, klezmer and folk music. Suitable for musicians grade five and up looking for professional leadership and an inclusive community.
7pm. From £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 22 July
What Am I? Chopped Liver?
Musical storyteller Daniel Cainer presents his wit, comedic flair and topical songs, accompanied by US folk duo Couplet for a heartfelt, whimsical evening. This a special preview of Cainer’s upcoming tour, which includes dates in Durham and Edinburgh.
7pm. £14. Green Note Camden, NW1 7AN. www.greennote.co.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
Wednesday 15 July
Rembrandt
Devout Christian artist Rembrandt van Rijn often reflected on Judaism in his work. He lived in the heart of Amsterdam’s Sephardic Jewish quarter and frequently used his neighbours as portrait models. He also sought rabbinical advice to perfect his paintings and etchings of the Torah. Art and architecture guide Muriel Carré discusses some of Rembrandt’s pieces in the National Gallery, offering a perspective on his life, inspirations and the students he taught.
1.30pm, 3.30pm. £20. National Gallery, WC2N 5DN. www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Thursday 16 July
Chinese Jewish Life and Music in Kaifeng
Dr Alexander Knapp uncovers the little-known background of Chinese Jewish music in this audio-visual presentation. Discover historical and contemporary takes on everyday life for Jews in 12th-century Kaifeng and look into the vocal and instrumental practices associated with the province’s synagogue. Kosher Chinese refreshments will be 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 curator 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 females connected to the one of the most famous trials of the 20th century. Read more on The Nuremberg Women in the Summer 2026 issue of JR.
6.30pm. £20. Imperial War Museum, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk
Sunday 26 July
Global Yiddish
David Mazower, chief curator of the Yiddish Book Center’s permanent exhibition, Yiddish: A Global Culture, discusses his work as a bibliographer and his experiences with London’s East End. He’ll also delve into his ongoing research into the mysterious life of Fanny Epstein, an early 20th-century Yiddish theatre star.
6pm. £7. House of Annetta, E1 6QH. www.jargon.org.uk
Friday 31 July
Marilyn Monroe: Stardom, Glamour and the Spirit of Hollywood
A panel of speakers delves into the fascinating life and career of Marilyn Monroe in response to the National Portrait Gallery’s current exhibition, Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait. The star, who converted to Judaism to marry Arthur Miller and maintained her Jewish identity even after their divorce, was known for her comic acting skills, striking looks, fashion sense and sex appeal.
7pm. £15. National Portrait Gallery, WC2H 0HE. www.npg.org.uk
Wednesday 2 September
Echoes from Auschwitz: Jewish Child Forced Labourers and the Holocaust
Professor Johannes-Dieter Steinhert highlights the experiences of children during and after the Holocaust. An astounding 1.5 million died, but some survived by working as forced labourers, in hiding or with the help of partisan groups. Touching on his research, for which he used hundreds of testimonies and post-war documents, Steinhert talks about the kids who lived through the atrocities and the traumas, both physical and emotional, they were scarred with.
6.30pm. FREE. The Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Wednesday 9 September
A Tonic to the Nation: Refugees and Immigrants at the Festival of Britain
An all-day symposium of talks to mark the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain. Guest speakers will explore the largely unknown creative input by those from (mostly) Jewish immigrant families and former refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe. There will also be a chance to see the exhibition, Music, Migration and Mobility: The Story of Émigré Musicians from Nazi Europe in Britain, which is on display at St John’s until 9 October, and attend a concert Émigré Cabaret by Norbert Meyn (tenor) and Christopher Gould (piano). Read more about the Festival of Britain in the Summer 2026 issue of JR.
9.15am-8.15pm. £30, £18 concs, £20/£12 (online only), £45/£30 (inc concert). St John’s Waterloo, SE1 8TY. www.insidersoutsidersfestival.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 Saturday 18 July
Relics
When siblings Liv, Rob, Michelle and Jonny are tasked with divvying up the possessions of their late mother, they find a painting that may be an original Camille Pissarro worth millions of pounds. The catch? It was likely stolen from a Jewish family during the Holocaust who perished in concentration camps before ending up in the possession of their grandfather, a British war hero. In the premiere of Ben Ockrent’s play Relics, discover how Nazi-looted art raises issues of justice and restitution in today’s society, and how later generations are still reckoning with the legacy of the Holocaust.
7.30pm, 2.30pm (Wed & Sat only). From £15. Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, W6 0QL. www.lyric.co.uk
until Saturday 25 July
Rika's Rooms
British Jewish playwright Gail Louw portrays her mother’s turbulent life in Rika’s Rooms. The play follows an ordinary woman who moved from Nazi Germany to Palestine, then to Apartheid South Africa, before settling in England and living with dementia. Emma Wilkinson Wright plays the role of Rika, who was both a victim of war and a freedom fighter. Now, she lives between two worlds: a present she can no longer make sense of and a past haunted by ghosts.
7.30pm (Wed-Fri), 6pm (Sat only). £25.50, £22.50 concs. Tabard Theatre, W4 1LW. www.tabardtheatre.org.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 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 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. They’ll be 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 1– Saturday 5 September
Wiesenthal
Discover the true story of Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal, who devoted his life to bringing Nazi war criminals to justice, in this one-man play. Wiesenthal was written by Tom Dugan, directed by Mark Liebert and is performed by Christopher C Gibbs.
7pm, 2.30pm (Thu & Sat only). £15.50-£30, £13-£27.50 concs. Wilton’s Music Hall, E1 8JB. www.wiltons.org.uk
Wednesday 2 – 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
Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 September
Present Laughter
Noël Coward’s 1939 play is revived, starring Tracy-Ann Oberman as the hugely successful star Geri Essendine. As the beloved actress 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 really 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
Thursday 23 July
Guided Walk Jewish Communal Leaders
From Chief Rabbis to philanthropists, discover the remarkable stories of Jewish leaders who’ve been laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery. This 90-minute walking tour focuses on how these influential people left their mark on the modern British Jewish experience.
11am. £10. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Sunday 26 July
Artists and their World
See the burial sites of Jewish creatives who managed to make their mark on the art world in the 1900s in this guided walk. As well as the grave of Mark Gertler, remembered for The Merry-Go-Round and Pre-Raphaelite Simeon Solomon, noted for his depictions of Jewish life, major collectors and dealers were laid to rest in the cemetery.
2pm. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Monday 14 September
Everyday Histories from Willesden Jewish Cemetery
Discover the stories of some of the familiar and lesser-known Jewish people who’ve been laid to rest at Willesden Jewish Cemetery in this Heritage Open Day walk. Hear about their contributions into British Jewry and heritage and explore the remarkable architecture of the grounds.
11am. FREE. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.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 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
Sunday 12 July
Bagel and Summer Cooking
Enjoy an afternoon of making homemade bagels with sweet and savoury toppings, as well as salads with vegetables harvested from the garden. Participants are invited to share baking tips and recipes, before sitting down together to sample what’s been made in the session. Led by Israeli chef Karyn.
3pm. From £20, £15 concs. Golders Green location provided upon booking. www.jvs.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
Monday 21 September – Saturday 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