Winter 2026
Tattoos & tefillin // A family portrait
It might be chilly outside, but we've got plenty to keep you busy indoors with our Winter issue. We take an in-depth dive into the Jewish history of the City of London, exploring the new heritage centre that's set to open at Bevis Marks Synagogue; discover the relationship between the City's medieval community and the Tower of London (shock horror, it wasn't always bad); and meet the Jews who live and work in the area today. Plus, ahead of a new play about The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, we hear from novelist Linda Grant about growing up in Liverpool in the 1960s – and drinking tea with Paul McCartney's dad. We speak to American novelist John Irving about the Jewish protagonist in his new novel, as well as Steve Zipperstein, who talks about his book on Philip Roth, the latest in his Yale Jewish Lives series, and we chat to the social media whizz behind @TheMizrahiStory, an Instagram account that's gone viral. We also head to Manchester to look at the inter-cultural initiatives bringing hope in the aftermath of the terrible attacks at Heaton Park Synagogue.
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Brian Epstein with The Beatles during a break from TV filming © Alamy
A cup of tea with Paul's dad, and doing the Cavern Stomp
Please Please Me, which opens at the Kiln theatre this spring, tells the story of the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein. Linda Grant, whose family knew the Epsteins, recalls growing up in 1960s Liverpool © Alamy
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BROWSE THE FULL CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE BELOW
YOUR SAY… Readers’ rants, raves and views on the Spring issue of JR.
WHAT'S NEW Manchester after Heaton Park; the fight to save South Africa's Irma Stern Museum.
FEATURE We speak to the leaders of two arts projects, in Israel and Gaza, to help those impacted by the 7 October attacks and the ensuing war.
PASSPORT The City of London: uncover a hidden medieval cemetery; see the treasures of Bevis Marks Synagogue; meet Shakespeare's Jewish neighbours; and hear from present-day City dwellers.
MUSIC Newcastle's Brundibár festival, which celebrates the work of 'lost'composers, is marking its 10th anniversary and has a stellar line up. year -
FILM Julia Wagner explores the making of Joan Micklin Silver's pioneering 1975 film, Hester Street.
THEATRE As the Kiln prepares to launch its new play about Brian Epstein, we hear from director Tom Wright about Epstein's sexuality; and do the 'Cavern stomp' with novelist Linda Grant.
BOOKS Steven Zipperstein on Philip Roth; Ben Markovits on John Irving; Sasha Dugdale on Soviet Holocaust fiction; Matthew Reisz on the Jewish pedlar; and a first look at the Amy Levy archive.
THE YIDDISHISTS Our series that uncovers the YIVO archive. This issue: The case of blood libel, the Rothschilds and the Vatican.
SEPHARDI RENAISSANCE Samantha Ellis meets the onewoman Insta whizz behind@TheMizrahiStory; Michael Arditti on his latest novel, which sweeps from Ottoman Greece to 60s Brazil and is based on his family's story.
FAMILY Meet mother and daughter artist duo Lois and Carey in a startling series of images by Israeli photographers Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom.
WHAT'S HAPPENING Our three-month guide to art, books, film, music, theatre and other cultural events in the UK, Europe and Israel.
