BACK ISSUES

Here you will find every single edition of Jewish Renaissance, from the very first issue we published in autumn 2001, through our redesign in 2014, to our most current magazine. There’s a little blurb about what’s inside each one, with a brief 10-page preview, and they’re all available to purchase (unless listed as sold out). If you are a subscriber, then you can view every single issue – even the sold out ones – for free via our app. Simply search for Jewish Renaissance in the App Store to download it and visit Exact Editions to create your app log-in details.

Autumn 2024 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

In light of the 2024 US election, we headed to Philadelphia to take in its vibrant Jewish past and present. Hear how the city's Jews shaped the country's first constitution, meet its cultural activists and get a taste of the Jewish food scene. We also marked one year since the 7 October attack with Israeli and British novelists; discovered a new book on the Israeli Black Panthers; and looked at the latest stage adaptation of What we Talk About When we Talk About Anne Frank… READ MORE

Summer 2024 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

Join us in Singapore's tropical climes to uncover the special Jewish community who's made this island their home. Elsewhere, we shine a political light on the future for French Jews; look at how Jewish and Israeli artists are faring in a polarised, post-7 October climate; delve into the controversy over Roald Dahl's antisemitism; and enjoy a rollercoaster ride through the work of radical feminist American artist Judy Chicago… READ MORE

Spring 2024 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

Guachos, tango and maté? It must be Argentina! Join us to discover the Latin American nation's vibrant Jewish heritage as we meet Jordan Salama on the trail of his great-grandfather across the Andes; hear a gaucho (cowboy) murder mystery at Jewish colony Moisés Ville; glimpse Buenos Aires' Yiddish theatre world; and, in an essay by the winner of our Emerging Journalists Award, find out why the Talmud is inspiring Argentina's controversial new president. All this and much more… READ MORE

Winter 2024 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

Putting together the winter 2024 issue of JR took us on a journey that many others also went on since the horrific events of 7 October 2023. Inside, our Letter from Israel correspondent expresses the howl of fury and grief that many of us felt. We also explore the myriad other ways that events have affected those in and outside Israel and Gaza; delve into the beauty and richness of Romanian Jewish culture; meet the director of a musical about the Battle of Cable Street; plus much more… READ MORE

Autumn 2023 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

Journey to Germany's eastern regions to explore the huge cultural flourishing that took place in Berlin and cities such as Dresden before World War II; hear from those who lived in the GDR during the Cold War; and meet the Jews living in Germany's eastern states today. Sit in on two of Israel's most eminent novelists in conversation, Ayelet Gundar-Goshen and Eshkol Nevo; chuckle over the new Mel Brooks biography; uncover the extraordinary life of the Ladino-speaking porn queen of New York; and much more… READ MORE

Summer 2023 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

Take in the Highlands, islands and beyond as we uncover 200 years of Scottish Jewish heritage. Meet Yiddish theatre stars, a cigarette-factory poet, refugee artists and the activists keeping Jewish life vibrant north of the border. Plus, Golda Meir's grandson shines new light on her legacy; The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem author explores her latest novel; and much more… READ MORE

Spring 2023 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

This season we head to the tropical climes of Brazil to meet Jewish samba musicians, cowboys, Amazon adventurers and a rainforest rabbi. Plus, we mark the end of Tel Aviv's historic Ohel Theatre; investigate freedom of speech on UK college campuses; go behind the scenes with Sean Penn and Volodymyr Zelensky; and much more… READ MORE

WINTER 2023 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

In southern Italy, new discoveries of ancient Jewish life are creating interest in the pre-Inquisition world. We delve further into the topic, exploring the region's fascinating history and meeting members of the present day communities. Elsewhere, Tracy-Ann Oberman discusses her new role as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice 1936; we discover the 'Freud of the dog world'; get stuck into Purim prep; and much more… READ MORE

AUTUMN 2022 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

We head to Lithuania to explore its long and distinctive Jewish history, taking a walking tour of Vilnius, discovering the Vilna ghetto's brave Paper Brigade and meeting the activists breathing new energy into the country's community. Elsewhere, Daniel Snowman celebrates the BBC at 100; we explore artist Lucian Freud's intimate family portraits; look at November's UK Jewish Film Festival; and much more… READ MORE

SUMMER 2022 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

This year marks the centenary of the 'birth of modernism’, so we're looking at the movement through a Jewish lens. Join us in 1920s Eastern Europe and Russia, visiting Marc Chagall in Vitebsk, Moscow’s Habima theatre troupe, writers in Lviv and musicians in St Petersburg. Elsewhere, Charlotte Philby discusses her grandfather, the spy; director Steven Berkoff tells us about photographing rough sleepers on Venice Beach; and much more… READ MORE

Spring 2022 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

We have a special treat for you in this issue – we invited poets, artists and photographers to interpret the Passover story in an original way. We also journey to Hong Kong to uncover the territory's rich Jewish history and meet some Jewish locals. Inevitably, we also look to Ukraine, reflecting on the exciting literature and art produced there before the war… READ MORE

WINTER 2022 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

Get to know the little-known history and culture of Jewish Afghanistan. Explore the Silk Road, the future of the country's heritage sites and discover the dramatic Israeli rescue operations after the Taliban takeover in 2021. Plus an essay by Shalom Auslander on the curse of hirsute evangelicals; an interview with the granddaughter of Ewen Montagu, the mastermind behind Operation Mincemeat; and much more… READ MORE

AUTUMN 2021 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

It’s been 20 years since the very first issue of JR dropped through letterboxes across the UK… To celebrate we've launched our first book, along with our new issue, which features Clapham-born musician Jessie Ware; acclaimed photographer Frédéric Brenner; Julia Neuberger on the life of writer Amy Levy; and much more. Grab a drink and join the celebrations… READ MORE

SUMMER 2021 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

As the Olympics kicks off in Tokyo this summer, we head to Japan to uncover the country's Jewish stories. From 16th-century merchants fleeing the Inquisition to wartime refugees and Anne Frank manga. Elsewhere, we meet American writer Cynthia Ozick; Anne Sebba unpicks the case against Ethel Rosenberg; and we tune into the first Jewish Psychedelic Summit… READ MORE

APRIL 2021 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

Spring has officially sprung and with it we journey to Ireland to meet the community and hear about its rich Jewish history. Elsewhere comedian David Baddiel and French Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur discuss antisemitism in their countries; we speak to trailblazing Israeli-Persian singer Liraz; discover the new Bristol food project focusing on Mizrahi heritage… READ MORE

JANUARY 2021 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

We have an exciting treat in this issue: an exclusive, previously unpublished short story by Nobel Prize-winning writer Isaac Bashevis Singer. We also tour Prague, a city that's survived the Nazis and Communism, and is experiencing something of a renaissance; learn how the Abraham Accords are bringing hope to Jews of the Gulf; Philippe Sands talks 'Dude'… READ MORE

OCTOBER 2020 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

With the US election in mind we turn our attentions across the pond. We look at the Jewish history of Washington DC and hear about the late, great Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We also discuss American politics with novelist Joshua Cohen; writer Anne Michaels marks poet Paul Celan's centenary; and historian David Abulafia examines the history of the ghetto… READ MORE

July 2020 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

It's been a tough few months, so we hope the new issue of JR will offer some welcome escape, entertainment and thought-provoking pieces. We celebrate the centenary of pioneering scientist Rosalind Franklin, before heading to the Lake District as part of our northern England series. Plus, meet gangsters from Brixton, Israeli artist Matan Ben Cnaan, and the amazing Kuchinate basket-weaving women… READ MORE

APrIL 2020 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

This issue is a big hug from us to you, as we hear from friends around the world how different communities are coping with the coronavirus crisis. But we also have cheering news: meet the winner of the inaugural JR Young Journalist Prize, read about Jewish life in northern England, see a stained glass masterpiece, and much more… READ MORE

JANUARY 2020 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

THE CARIBBEAN

Cold outside? Warm up with the latest issue of JR, which heads to the Caribbean. Hear about pirates, sugar planters and refugees who transformed the region into a flourishing Jewish enclave. Explore the travels of music from North Africa and the Middle East, learn the secret of Fiddler on the Roof’s success, and much more to boot… READ MORE

OCTOBER 2019 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

OXFORD

We’ve explored Cambridge, so it’s only right we head to Oxford next. Visit the city’s medieval parts, walk in Einstein’s footsteps and discover Oxford’s Jewish story (past and present). Elsewhere, meet members of Extinction Rebellion Jews, see Myriam Tangi’s amazing images of the lost Jews of Yemen and read Howard Jacobson’s views on the current political climate… READ MORE

JULY 2019 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

TURKEY

Join us in Turkey as we find out what President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's increasing loss of power means for the Jewish population. Novelist Ayelet Gundar-Goshen urges Israeli voters to resist the right, while Robin Lustig reports on a new film that questions why so many Nazis got away with murder. Plus we celebrate the Jewish Music Institute's 35th birthday… READ MORE

APRIL 2019 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

MELBOURNE

Australia’s first Jewish settlers were swindlers, robbers and prostitutes: who knew? This is just one of many stories from ‘down under’ that features in our Melbourne special. Nearer home we examine Israel's latest TV shows, fiction and technology. Plus, read an exclusive short story by Lynne Reid Banks, explore Jewish feminist fantasy fiction and discover India’s Bollywood Jews… READ MORE

JANUARY 2019 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

BELGIUM

Did you know the designer of the EU flag was a Jewish Belgian resistance fighter? That’s just one of the stories we uncover in this January issue, which focuses on Brussels and Antwerp. Also discover the Insiders/Outsiders festival, which celebrates the contribution to UK culture by European creatives who fled there from the Nazis… READ MORE

OCTOBER 2018 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

VIVA MEXICO! A UNIQUE CULTURE AT THE HEART OF LATIN AMERICA

Learn about Jewish revolutionaries, Ladino novelists, stunning Syrian synagogues and kosher enchiladas. Discover some of the documentaries from 2018’s UK Jewish Film Festival. Plus, find out about the role of drugs in the lives of major Jewish thinkers and question whether Jewish artefacts and archives belong to their country of origin or to the communities that created them… READ MORE

JULY 2018 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

TEARING UP THE RULES: VIENNA’S CULTURE REVOLUTION

Meet the Jewish artists, architects, musicians and writers who were at the forefront of the radical modernist movement that shook up Vienna. Mike Witcombe looks at the future of Jewish fiction after Philip Roth passes. Plus hear from Na’ama Zisser, a young Israeli composer, and discover a pop-up Jewish Moroccan restaurant in Caracas… READ MORE

APRIL 2018 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

CAMBRIDGE: HAVEN IN THE FENS

Take a guided tour with us through the ancient city of Cambridge. Learn about its medieval history, émigré thinkers and vibrant community. Plus, hear how an Icelandic author relocated the story of the Golem to his icy country and a whole lot more… READ MORE

JANUARY 2018 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

CATALONIA: 100 YEARS SINCE JEWS CAME IN FROM THE COLD

JR asks Catalonia’s Jewish community how they view the question of independence and we take you on a tour of the region. Elsewhere, we uncover a London Jewish film archive, explore Chagall’s connection to The Tempest, and much more… READ MORE

OCTOBER 2017 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

HUNGARY: FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM

Come with us to Hungary in October’s issue of JR, where you’ll discover Budapest’s 19th century cultural hotbed. Plus, Anne Sebba discusses the Parisian women during World War II; Naomi Games recalls growing up with graphic designers; we explore synagogues across the Islamic world, and so much more… READ MORE

JULY 2017 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

ROCK AND ROLL

In this issue we take you to balmy Gibraltar to uncover the distinctive culture of its Jewish community. You’ll also find novelist Paul Bailey discussing Primo Levi’s book If This is a Man, Colin Shindler debating the role of the Jewish Legion and much more… READ MORE

APRIL 2017 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

DUTCH COURAGE

Discover the Netherlands, a country that has survived a divisive election campaign. Take a stroll around Amsterdam’s rich and distinctive Jewish history and culture; look at a remarkable letter-writing project that puts elderly Dutch Holocaust survivors in touch with young Muslims and much more… READ MORE

JANUARY 2017 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

the russian revolution

To mark 100 years since the Russian Revolution, we explore the ways Jewish creatives responded to the events of 1917. Elsewhere we debate Bob Dylan’s Nobel; speak to Richard Rampton QC – a key member of the Denial story; and pack the books section with reviews… READ MORE

OCTOBER 2016 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

SOVIET SENSATION

Take a trip through East Africa to uncover Jewish stories in the most unlikely places: from the remote Kenyan highlands to Ethiopia’s mountain monasteries. We also look at the sensational Soviet art of Komar and Melamid, debate the crisis around free speech in UK universities and much more… READ MORE

JULY 2016 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

SALONICA TO ATHENS AND PLACES INBETWEEN

Welcome a new chapter in the 15-year story of Jewish Renaissance magazine, as an eight-page section called Sephardi Renaissance is introduced. Plus we feature a 14-page Greece special and radicals, kooks and other 60s upstarts pepper our books section… READ MORE

APRIL 2016 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

BRIGHTON: 250 YEARS OF JEWISH LIFE

The big theme of this issue is Brighton. We uncover the rich history and culture of the town, as well as speaking to the lively community. Plus a special walking map of Jewish Brighton, so get those buckets and spades ready… READ MORE

JANUARY 2016 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

A-WA GOES GLOBAL

The start of 2016 meant the 500th anniversary of the founding of the world’s first ghettto – in Venice – so we explore the history, literature, art and food that emerged from this remarkable place. Plus Howard Jacobson discusses his novel Shylock is My Name; and we meet A-Wa, a band of Yemeni-heritage Israelis who are making waves throughout the Middle East… READ MORE

OCTOBER 2015 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

UKRAINE: PAST, PRESENT – FUTURE?

Hear two sides of the fierce debate over the culture boycott of Israel from an Israeli professor and a Palestinian politician. Plus, also in this issue, learn about the Jewish history of Ukraine and much more… READ MORE

JULY 2015 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

THE ISRAEL MUSEUM AT 50

This issue we discover the murky world of people smuggling in Tel Aviv; Linda Grant discusses the legacy of Saul Bellow; and Jason Solomons speaks to Géza Röhrig, star of the Cannes hit film Son of Saul. We also tour Portugal to uncover its secret Jewish communities… READ MORE

APRIL 2015 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

NEXT GENERATION JEWISH RADICALS

This month we get political and examine the Jewish issues that influence voting. Plus we look at Leon Golub’s paintings of men at war, the musical legacy of Britain’s internment camps, Arthur Miller’s centenary and much more… READ MORE

JANUARY 2015 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

LOVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Enjoy Yom Kippur in Tehran, and take a look at the world of Persian Jews. We also inspect a controversial show about circumcision, explore the life of writer Franz Werfel and consider the legacy of Leonard Bernstein… READ MORE

OCTOBER 2014 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE

Why have South African Jews who emigrated to Britain had such a big impact on British society? Read about our investigation. Plus, we speak to Scottish readers about the vote on independence, examin Rembrandt’s Jewish works, look at an Israeli football project, and much more… READ MORE

JULY 2014 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

PARIS

We step out in Paris, taking a whistle-stop tour of the Jewish community there and examining its North African influence. Also we pick apart the anti-EU far right and Islamic militant extremism in Brussels, look into the disappearance of a chasidic star’s sidelocks, and a whole lot more… READ MORE

APRIL 2014 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

THE FIRST WORLD WAR

This issue we take a look at World War I through the lens of the Jewish experience: assessing the impact on Europe’s Jews, iconic pieces by Britain's Jewish artists, and extracts from the book, Jews and the Military. Plus, a raft of book reviews, Passover recipes, and much more… READ MORE

JANUARY 2014 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

THE JEWS OF KRAKOW

We meet the Jews of Kraków this month, including the city’s renowned rabbi and an arty reform congregation. Plus we look at the film adaption of The Book Thief, popular wartime cartoonist Philip Zec and much more… READ MORE

OCTOBER 2013 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

BRITAIN'S ISRAELIS

This issue we explore closer to home with a report on Britain’s Israelis. We also get foodie with 1701 chef Oren Goldfeld, visit the World Congress of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, and examine the ways that Hebrew and English mix. Plus lots more to boot… READ MORE

JULY 2013 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

THE HEART OF ITALY

Ciao! Venture to Italy with us to meet Jewish Italians and explore their timeline all the way back to Roman times. Plus we look at all the latest goings on in the worlds of Jewish food, film, music, art and literature… READ MORE

APRIL 2013 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS | BUY THIS ISSUE

THE JEWS OF MONTREAL

Montreal is the subject of our explorations this issue, featuring an examination of why Jewish culture has thrived in the city and films that focus on Jewish Montreal. Plus we debate the 'ban' against Wagner in Israel, discuss the life and work of Boris Aronson, and review Norbert Hirschhorn’s poetry… READ MORE

JANUARY 2013 | SUBSCRIBER ACCESS

THE JEWS OF UZBEKISTAN

Meet the Jews of Uzbekistan and discover their remarkable history. Elsewhere in this issue, Angela Levine revisits the work of German artists who made their home in Jerusalem in the 1930s; Helga Abraham visits Bina, one of Israel's secular yeshivas; and cellist Natalie Clein discusses Bloch’s Jewish work… READ MORE