LONDON
ART
Ben Uri
Franciszka Themerson: Stories from the Life
See the variety of techniques used by Polish Jewish artist Franciszka Themerson, who studied at at Warsaw’s School of Fine Art in the 1920s before coming to London. Her earlier works, predominantly of interiors and the activities taking place within them like dancing and eating offer rich, vibrant colour; are a stark contrast to her later pieces, which are monochromatic drawings of landscapes. Two never-before-exhibited oil paintings are shown alongside examples of Themerson’s pre and post-war pieces.
20 February – 23 May
NW8 0RH. 020 7604 3991. www.benuri.org.uk
British Museum
Silk Roads
Discover the journey that people, products and ideas made along the famed ancient merchant route known as the Silk Road, spanning Asia, Africa and Europe. While the network of roads remained in regular use from 130 BC until 1453, this exhibition focuses on the period between 500 AD and 1,000, featuring objects found in a geniza (sacred storeroom within a synagogue) in Fustat, Egypt, including Jewish Bibles, letters and marriage contracts, ceramics from the Tang Dynasty, and even Indian garnets uncovered in Suffolk.
Until 23 February
WC1B 3DG. 020 7323 8299. www.britishmuseum.org
Ein Sof Jewish Art Gallery
Land and Sea
The sea has always been a profound influence in Tel Aviv-born artist Adaya Pilo’s life. She presents her recent paintings in this exhibition, which were created as an attempt to calm both Pilo herself and the viewer who sees them. See works which are subtly embedded with Biblical stories in this exhibition.
Until 9 February
N1 8HX. 020 7700 6974. www.jewishislington.co.uk
Freud Museum
Women & Freud: Patients, Pioneers, Artists
This is the first exhibition to celebrate the women who shaped the life of Sigmund Freud, inventor of psychoanalysis, as well as the artists he inspired. Taking place in the home where Freud spent the last year of his life, see previously unseen fabric works from Paula Rego’s studio along with other art, books, letters, diaries, photographs, sketchbooks and manuscripts. His home, where his daughter, pioneering child psychoanalyst Anna Freud also examined patients, will display his legacy.
Until 5 May
NW3 5SX. www.freud.org.uk
Isokon Gallery
Through a Bauhaus Lens: Edith Tudor-Hart and Isokon
See recently uncovered prints that document the historic construction and opening of Belsize Park’s Isokon Flats, Britain's first reinforced concrete residency. The images were taken by Viennese Bauhaus-trained photographer Edith Tudor-Hart, who moonlighted as a Soviet spy during her time in the UK. It’s thought that she operated as part of the Cambridge Five, as when the group was exposed, she destroyed much of her work. A cache of her negatives from the 1930s has been discovered in Salzburg, however, including the these Isokon photographs.
Until 26 October 2025
NW3 2XD. www.isokongallery.co.uk
Museum of Enfield
To a Child Refugee in a Foreign Land
At age nine, Grete Glauber was sent on the Kindertransport from Vienna to start a new life with her adopted mother Olive Rudkin in England. Explore the relationship between the two through never-before-seen photographs and Rudkin’s poem, To a Child Refugee in a Foreign Land.
Until 24 February
EN2 6DS. 020 8379 8353. www.dugdaleartscentre.co.uk
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 was based on a well-worn photo that the donor’s great-grandmother used to carry with her, commissioned by her husband. He was an art dealer, who filled their home with portraits. The pair met in the UK after the great-grandmother fled antisemitic violence in Eastern Europe.
From 17 July
E2 8EA. 020 7739 9893. www.museumofthehome.org.uk
Park Lane
Visitor V
British Jewish artist David Breuer-Weil’s new installation, featuring two resin-bronze feet sticking upwards out of the ground, explores the theme of ‘outsiders’. Located opposite the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane, Visitor V represents a person ‘crash-landed’, having arrived from a distant land with another culture. This follows his 2023 sculpture SISTER, in tribute to his sibling, as well as being a sister piece to the artist’s similar pieces in Jerusalem. Read more about SISTER on the JR blog.
Until December
W1K 1QA. www.davidbreuerweil.com
Swiss Cottage Library
Safe Haven
See items that children carried when embarking on the Kindertransport to Britain alongside photos of their new lives and drawings inspired by their stories. This display was created in collaboration with Harwich Kindertransport Memorial and Learning Trust.
Until 20 February
NW3 3HA. 020 7974 4444. www.jewishmuseum.org.uk
Tate Modern
Solid Light
Anthony McCall’s immersive works bring its audience’s movements and interactions to life using beams of light that are projected through a thin mist. The result is new shapes and mesmerising perspectives. McCall has redefined the possibilities of sculpture with his groundbreaking work over the years, much of which is presented in this exhibition.
Until 27 April
SE1 9TG. www.tate.org.uk
Tate St Ives
Artist Rooms: Sol LeWitt
Influential in establishing the notion of ‘conceptual art’ in the 1960s, Jewish American artist Solomon ‘Sol’ LeWitt produced highly colourful, sprawling wall pieces. For example, Wall Drawing #1136 (2004) weaves together seven vibrant colours to create an enveloping chromatic environment.
No end date specified
TR26 1TG. www.tate.org.uk
Wiener Holocaust Library
Fred Kormis: Sculpting the 20th Century
While there has been significant growth in Holocaust memorial and education since the 1980s, the mental state of those caught up in the atrocities is often overlooked. Jewish émigré sculptor Fred Kormis has tried to address this in his memorial Prisoners of War and Victims of Concentration Camps 1914-1945, which takes viewers on a symbolic journey through the imagined mindset of victims of the Holocaust. Academic Dr Steven Cooke examines how the sculpture helps us to understand the complex and ongoing history of Holocaust memorialisation in the UK, and references London’s forthcoming Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.
Until 6 February
WC1B 5DP. 020 7636 7247. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk
Tuesday 30 January
On the Frontline
Three poets unpick cultural stereotypes as part of The Exiled Writer’s Ink project, which is dedicated to creating understanding and empathy within minority communities. Sana Nassari (British Iranian), Max Terry Fishel (Liverpudlian Jewish) and Handsen Chikowore (Zimbabwean) present their works followed by a discussion.
7.30pm. FREE. West Greenwich Library, SE10 8NN. www.exiledwriters.co.uk
Monday 3 February
Safeguarding the Sites of the Holocaust
In commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day, Martin Winstone draws from the third edition of his book, which considers the preservation of significant locations from the Holocaust. He is joined by Professor Gilly Carr (University of Cambridge) to discuss what constitutes a Holocaust site, how this meaning has changed in recent years and the challenges these sites face today.
6.30pm. FREE. Wiener Holocaust Library, WC1B 5DP. www.wienerholocaustlibrary.org
Wednesday 19 February
Off-White
Rachel Shabi’s new book looks into the complexities of racism and antisemitism in today’s climate. Off-White spotlights the importance of understanding these issues in a way that can build stronger coalitions and guide progressive politics forward. Shabi is in conversation with Alona Ferber, editor of the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy section.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 25 February
Open Mic Night with the Jewish Poet Society
Judy Karbritz, co-founder of the Jewish Poet Society, invites attendees to celebrate the beauty of poetry by sharing original works or favourite poems. Attendees are welcome to perform or just listen.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Saturday 1 – Sunday 9 March
Jewish Book Week
London’s longest-running literary festival returns, welcoming a bevy of speakers from different backgrounds to bring Jewish themes to the wider public. Highlights include Ukrainian writer Ilya Kaminsky, who joins two JR events: a poetry reading with three other writers (9 Mar) and a talk on Ukraine with Marina Sapritsky-Nahum (8 Mar). Plus, Jewish Women’s Voices host philosopher and essayist Professor Susan Neiman (2 Mar), who discusses her experiences as an American Jew and life in Berlin before the wall fell in 1989; and Andrew Porwancher (XX Mar) discusses American Maccabee: Theodore Roosevelt and the Jews, his forthcoming book on Jewish immigration to the States. Read our interview with Ilya Kaminsky and Jewish Women’s Voices co-founder Kate Kennedy in the Winter 2025 issue of JR.
Times and prices vary. ONLINE & Kings Place, N1 9AG. www.jewishliteraryfoundation.co.uk
Tuesday 6 March
The Holocaust: Europe’s Sites, Memorials and Museums
Rosie Whitehouse’s new guidebook, aimed at travellers unfamiliar with Holocaust history, introduces readers to lesser-visited locations and museums that revive the legacy of the atrocities. She presents The Holocaust: Europe’s Sites, Memorials and Museums in conversation with academic Dr Simone Gigliotti.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 11 March
Celebrating Everyday Jewishness: A Seriously Playful Evening
Despite the heightened tension currently surrounding Judaism, Dr Keith Kahn-Harris celebrates the mundanity and mediocrity of the religion in his new book. Everyday Jews is a celebration of daily life, and this evening is no different. Enjoy talks, jokes on Jewish fallibility, Palwin cocktails and a karaoke session with a twist.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 25 March
Call Me Lola
Loli Kantor’s new book uses her photography to reflect on her family experience of history, memory and loss. Call Me Lola, which looks into Kantor’s father’s life journeying across Europe and Israel, also follows her desperation to connect with the mother she never knew. She and her daughter Danna Heller, who curated and contributed to the book, discuss preserving their family legacy and the emotional scars of grief.
7pm. £15. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 31 March
The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz
Author Anne Sebba untangles the complex story of the women’s orchestra of Auschwitz in her upcoming book. She discusses how and why the group was formed, tells the stories of its members and looks at the moral quandaries of music’s role in a death camp. Read our interview with Sebba in the Spring 2025 issue of JR.
6.30pm. £20. Imperial War Museum London, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk
BOOKS & POETRY
until Thursday 27 March
JW3 Comedy Club
Sit back and relax as Jewish and Jew-ish comedians take to the stage with their side-splitting jokes, improvisation and stand-up performances. The monthly comedy club kicks off with Rachel Creeger, up-and-comer Levy Lupu, Davina Bentley and multi award-winning comedian and filmmaker Joe Bor.
7.30pm. £17. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
until Saturday 29 March
Ivor Dembina: Millwall Jew
At the age of 71, Jewish comedian Ivor Dembina decided to go against the grain and support his nearest football club, Millwall, as opposed to the team typically favoured by Jews, Tottenham Hotspur. He explains as much in this show, which is a passionate rant about football, family and faith. The stalwart London comic has a reputation for rubbing audience members up the wrong way, using humour to tackle controversial takes on religion, and Millwall Jew is no different. Prepare to be offended.
5.30pm (Sat only). £8.50. Camden Comedy Club, NW1 0LU. www.camdencomedyclub.com
COMEDY
Until Saturday 29 March
Chantal Akerman: Adventures in Perception
During her career spanning almost 50 years, Chantal Akerman directed more than 40 films. The daughter of Holocaust survivors, she was born in Brussels in 1950 and is regarded today as one of her generations most important and influential cinematic directors. She offered an unconventional body of work and her revolutionary and experimental approach to filmmaking will be shown in this two-month retrospective at the British Film Institute. See fiction features, documentaries, shorts and archive interviews, as well as a 2K restoration of Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975).
Times and prices vary. BFI Southbank, SE1 8XT. www.bfi.org.uk
FILM AND TV
MUSIC
Until Wednesday 12 March 2025
The Classical Music Series
After a sell-out debut last year, The Classical Music Series returns for a second season showcasing some of the best artists from around the world. Highlights include pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen, who’ll be joined by string trio Anthony Marwood, Garfield Jackson and David Waterman to perform Dvořák (5 Nov); the Doric String Quartet performing Beethoven’s Op 132 (23 Jan); and soloists Irene Duval, Asbjørn Nørgaard, David Waterman and Connie Shih presenting Mozart, Fauré and Brahms (12 Mar).
7.30pm. £30. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 9 & Monday 10 February
Koolulam: Hear the Harmony, be the Voice
People of all backgrounds, cultures, faiths and geographies are invited to come together to celebrate the power of musical harmony. Koolulam is an initiative that harnesses the power of both sound and humanity, and this event invites participants to use their voices to create a melody of togetherness.
7pm, 2pm (Sun only). From £25. North West London location provided upon booking. www.heartheharmony.com
Monday 10 Feburary
Join the Zemel Choir
Established in 1955, The Zemel Choir is one of the world’s finest mixed-voice Jewish ensembles. Their wide-ranging repertoire embraces all of the denominations of Jewish culture, and they sing in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino and English. The choir is open to amateur singers, both Jewish and non-Jewish and has vacancies in all voices. Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings.
8pm. FREE. North London location provided upon contact. www.zemelchoir.org
Thursday 13 February
Chaos Dragon and the Light
As a young girl, Marika Henriques was hidden from the Nazis in a cellar in Budapest. Now in her 80s, she tells her story for the first time in this documentary, the themes of which – war, migration and the refugee experience – are powerfully resonant today. Followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Sal Anderson and psychologist and psychotherapist Gaby Glassman.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 24 February
Cary Grant: Rise to Stardom
Born into poverty, Cary Grant’s life transformed as he rose to stardom in classic films including North by Northwest and The Bishop’s Wife. Media lecturer George McGhee examines the life and career of a man who, with five marriages, led a private life as interesting as his professional one.
2pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 2 March
Celebrating Don Black
West End actors including Brady Isaacs Pearce (Cable Street) and Debbie Chazen (The Girls, The Musical) come together to celebrate the works of the award-winning musician Don Black CBE. Known for his contributions to film and stage, Black collaborated with composer John Barry on James Bond theme songs and wrote for musicals Sunset Boulevard and Aspects of Love with Andrew Lloyd Webber.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Saturday 8 March
Mizz Raqi
Join DJ Mizz for a night of Mizrachi, Middle Eastern and North African hits. This fully inclusive event welcomes those from all backgrounds.
9pm. £15. London location provided upon booking. www.jmi.org.uk
Tuesday 25 March
1945: A Kind of Haunting
The Britten Sinfonia, conducted by Jonathan Berman and featuring baritone James Newby, spotlight three works from past and present to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. From 1938, there's Bohuslav Martinů’s Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano, and Timpani, which reflects the life of the Czech composer and the political climate in Europe at the time; plus Metamorphosen (1944-45) by German composer Richard Strauss, which evokes the way that World War II transformed humanity. The audience will also get to hear the world premiere of Michael Zev Gordon's A Kind of Haunting, about intergenerational trauma, inspired by the British composer's grandfather, who was murdered in a forest in Poland during the Holocaust. Read more about A Kind of Haunting in the Winter 2025 issue of JR.
7.30pm. £15-£35. Milton Court Concert Hall, Barbican, EC2Y 9BH. www.barbican.org.uk
Thursday 3 April
Sabra Swing
Explore the world of Jews in Jazz with an evening of music by Sabra Swing. Featuring music by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Carole King and many more, the five-strong ensemble look at the influence Jewish musicians had on the soundtrack of the silver screen.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
TALKS
Monday 3 February
Lives Unrolled: Tracing Jewish Life Through Ancient Egyptian Papyri
Ancient Jewish history professor Meron M Piotrkowski discusses Egyptian Jewish life during the Graeco-Roman period (8th century BC-5th century AD). Using papyrology, the study of ancient manuscripts and literature, he shows how Jews navigated their complex identities, balancing their religion with integrating into society.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 5 February
Annual Spiro Tribute
David Quarry, former British Ambassador in Israel and current British representative to NATO, celebrates the tremendous work of Nitza and her late husband Robin Spiro, founders of the Jewish educational organisation Spiro Ark.
7pm. Price TBC. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.spiroark.org
Wednesday 5 February
Israel: Outlook for 2025
Middle East analyst Jonathan Paris explores his predicted outcome of the Israel-Gaza war and US relations with Israel under the new administrations.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 6 February
From Gilmore Girls to Mrs Maisel: Cult Jewish Worlds from Amy Sherman-Palladino
Californian screenwriter and director Amy Sherman-Palladino is responsible for creating two of what many would consider the biggest cult TV shows of the 21st century: Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. Both are clever, quick witted and visually stunning, but the topics, while focused on family values, are vastly different. The former follows a rebellious single mother and her daughter, while Mrs Maisel is as Jewish-centric as it gets. Join designer Francesca Kletz as she explores the joy of Judaism in Sherman-Palladino’s work, looking at her progression from barely touching on religion to shouting proudly about her faith.
7.30pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 10 February
Jewish Feminism: Between Suffrage and WIZO
Lecturer Peter Bergamin describes the link between the females who founded The Federation of Women Zionists (1918), Women’s International Zionist Organisation (1920) and the Women’s Social and Political Union (1903). He discusses the role British Jews had in female political empowerment at the time and the central figures in the formation of these groups.
7.30pm. £20. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 11 February, Tuesday 13 May & Tuesday 15 July
Death Café
Thoughts and feelings about life and death are discussed sensitively and with an added Jewish perspective. Participants are invited to approach one of life’s most challenging topics with an open mind and a personal connection.
2pm. FREE. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE.www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Wednesday 12 February
Helen Lederer: The Secret Listeners of Trent Park
Trent Park, an English country house, held high-ranking German war prisoners during World War II. Living amongst them were stool pigeons – the codename for German-speaking undercover operatives – encouraging captives to talk about sensitive topics and reporting back to secret listeners located in the basement. Actor and comedian Helen Lederer discusses the life and work of her grandfather, Captain Ernst Lederer, an agent for MI9 (secret British intelligence organisation), who worked as both a stool pigeon and a secret listener. Read more about Trent Park in the Winter 2025 issue of JR.
6.15pm. £60. Imperial War Museum London, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk
Sunday 16 February
Celebrating Bernard Kops
Friends and family of Bernard Kops come together with special guests including Olivier Award winner Elliot Levey to celebrate the life and work of the playwright, poet and novelist. Kops was known for his evocative explorations of working-class life and Jewish identity, his work blended humour, anguish and social commentary. The evening will feature poems, readings excerpts from plays, clips and songs.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Monday 24 February
Creating a Storm: Jewish Women in the World of Arts & Culture
From household names to hidden trailblazers, British-born Jewish women have provided immense contributions to 20th-century arts. JR’s executive director Dr Aviva Dautch and Dr Isabelle Seddon, expert on London’s Jewish East End, discuss these remarkable, yet often overlooked stories.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Tuesday 25 February
Yiddish and the Holocaust
Anita Norich, scholar of Yiddish literature, discusses the role of the language in the Holocaust.
6pm. FREE. Location provided upon booking. www.ucl.ac.uk/institute-jewish-studies
Sunday 2 March
Jewish Women’s Voices: Professor Susan Neiman
A discussion featuring philosopher and essayist Professor Susan Neiman. This event is part of a series hosted by Jewish Women’s Voices, which champions the role that Jewish women have played throughout history. Read more about JVW in the Winter 2025 issue of JR.
Time and price TBC. Kings Place, N1 9AG. www.jewishliteraryfoundation.co.uk
Wednesday 5 March
Carnival Cravings: Our Human Right to Break from the Norm
Theatre, drama teacher and playwright Robert Messik explores the link between humour and celebration in Judaism, particularly focusing on the festival of Purim.
7pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 6 March
Death Café
Thoughts and feelings about life and death are discussed sensitively and with an added Jewish perspective. Led by Sally Berkovic, author of Death Duties: The Chevra Kadisha, participants are invited to approach one of life’s most challenging topics with an open mind and a personal connection.
2pm. FREE. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 12 March
Anni and Josef Albers: Iconic Couple of Modernism
Explore the life and work of 20th-century Bauhaus-trained artists Anni and Josef Albers. The couple fled Berlin in 1933 as the Nazis rose to power; taking a joint art teaching post at Black Mountain College in North Carolina. Using unassuming materials such as cigarette packets and bottles as tools, and getting students to consider shape and form in their artwork through physical body movement, as opposed to simply creating from imagination, the pair are thought to have pioneered the way that art is produced and experienced. In this talk, art expert Sophie Lachowsky delves deeper into the Albers’ groundbreaking legacy.
7.15pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Wednesday 26 March
Global Trends 2045
Jonathan Paris (Middle East analyst) discusses what he thinks global politics will look like in 2045 in relation to Israel’s role in both the region and the wider world.
2pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
THEATRE
until Saturday 8 February
Canned Goods
Nazi commander Heinrich Himmler, known for being chief architect of the ‘Final Solution’, staged attacks by the SS to justify Hitler’s upcoming invasion of Poland. In August 1939, three German political prisoners, code-named Canned Goods by Himmler, were drugged, dressed in Polish army uniforms and fatally shot. Photographs taken of their lifeless bodies were sent to European and American press, concealed as evidence of false Polish attacks and harassment of Germans living in the country. This resulted in Hitler announcing that he had no choice but to protect the lives of his people and take over Poland. In the London premiere of Erik Kahn’s five-person play, which brings this story to the stage, follow the final 24 hours of the three men involved. Using transcripts from the Nuremberg trial, Canned Goods explores the complex psychological entanglement between prisoners with hours left to live and the SS major guarding them.
7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 3pm (Tue & Sat only). £28, £22.50 concs. Southwark Playhouse, SE1 6BD. www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
until Saturday 1 March
The Producers
London’s first revival of Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation of The Producers follows a con artist theatre maker and his accountant as they plan on defrauding the public in a get-rich-quick scheme. In looking for the worst script imaginable, they find one celebrating Hitler and the Nazis and decide to bring it to the stage. This dark comedic production is directed by the Tony Award-winning Patrick Marber.
7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 3pm (Sat & Sun only). £54.50 (£45 concs). Menier Chocolate Factory, SE1 1TE. www.menierchocolatefactory.com
Until Sunday 28 September
Oliver!
Following its huge success at Chichester Festival Theatre last year, Lionel Bart’s musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel returns. 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.
7pm (Mon & Tues only), 7.30pm (Wed-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat only). From £65. Gielgud Theatre, W1D 6AR. www.oliverthemusical.com
Tuesday 4 – Sunday 16 February
LEARNING
Debs and Jonathan might be matched romantically, but religiously they’re worlds apart. As Jonathan starts to embrace the Jewish faith, he’s spent a lifetime avoiding, Debs yearns to break free from years of trying to live up to Judaism’s requirements. With an original score and captivating movement, LEARNING offers a thought-provoking exploration of identity, belief, and what it means to truly connect with ourselves and others.
7.30pm (Tue & Sat), 4pm (Sun only). £22. £20 concs. The Gatehouse, N6 4BD. www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
Thursday 6 February
The Story of a Book
Discover the almost century-long history of Brno’s Strach family and their machzor (Jewish prayer book), which was thought to be lost forever after being confiscated in Theresienstadt concentration camp. The Story of a Book puts the fate of multiple generations of the machzor’s owners on stage, relaying tragic historical events both within the family and within Europe. The play will be followed by a Q&A with family member Angela Strach and refreshments.
7pm. £25. Westminster Synagogue, SW7 1BX. www.westminstersynagogue.org
Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 February
Der Yidisher Hunt (The Jewish Dog)
Inspired by Asher Kravitz’s 2007 book, The Jewish Dog, Shahaf Beer presents his one-person play, which tells the story of the darkest period of Jewish history though the innocent perspective of a dog. Set in 1930s Berlin, close-camera projection follows the dog through his experiences using visual storytelling.
7.45pm. £10. Omnibus Theatre, SW4 0QW. www.omnibus-clapham.org
Monday 10 February – Saturday 15 March
The Passenger
German author Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz penned his critically acclaimed novel The Passenger in the wake of Kristallnacht, but it didn’t become a best-seller until it was rediscovered by his niece some 70 years later. Playwright Nadya Menuhin now brings his story to the stage, following protagonist Otto Silbermann, who lost everything during the infamous Night of Broken Glass, as he’s forced to flee his homeland and adapt to a new world order.
7.30pm, 3pm (Sat & Sun only). £18-£25. Finborough Theatre, SW10 9ED. www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Wednesday 19 March
RISE
Set in Eastern Europe at the height of the Holocaust, this modern rock musical follows a group of female Jewish resistance fighters waging an uprising against the Nazis. RISE is a story of courage, loyalty, sacrifice and love, and will be followed by a discussion with writer and composer Joshua Daniel Hershfield.
7.30pm. £20. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Saturday 26 April – Saturday 2 August
Giant
After a sold-out run at the Royal Court Theatre, Mark Rosenblatt’s debut play Giant transfers to the West End. It’s the summer of 1983 and renowned children’s author Roald Dahl is set to release his latest book, The Witches. If only the public outrage over his recent antisemitic comments would disappear. Should he make a public apology or risk his name and reputation? An unexpectedly explosive confrontation at his family home may just force him to choose. Based on real-life events, Giant deals with the problematic issues of fame and rhetoric with dark humour. Starring Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow and Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey. Directed by Nicholas Hytner. Read more about Giant in the Summer 2024 issue of JR.
7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat only). Prices TBC. Harold Pinter Theatre, SW1Y 4DN. www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk
until Sunday 13 April
Willesden Jewish Cemetery: Gentle Walks
Hear stories about some of the remarkable people buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery on this gentle, flat walk. Start by sitting to watch a short video before seeing Commonwealth War Graves and rose gardens. Hear about musicians, retail visionaries and scientists who changed the world, as well as a chief rabbi who fought against the white slave trade. Hot drinks are available at the end of the walk.
11am. £10, £8 concs. Willesden Jewish Cemetery, NW10 2JE. www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk
Thursday 6 March
Women of Worth
Explore the backstreets of Whitechapel and Spitalfields with Blue Badge guide Rachel Kolsky and discover the stories of the women who made a significant impact on London’s East End Jews.
11am. £20. Starting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
Sunday 30 March
London’s Jewish History Over the Centuries
Discover the story of London’s Jews dating back to medieval times on this walking tour across the city. From those brought to England by William the Conqueror to refugees during World War II and present-day immigration, delve into centuries of the capital’s Jewish history.
2pm. £20. Starting point provided upon booking. www.jw3.org.uk
WALKS
WORKSHOPS
until Tuesday 18 March
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.
11am. £162, £20 per session. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
until Monday 31 March
A Family Affair? The Story of Jewish-Christian Relations
In this educational series, author Angela Gluck addresses the evolving relationship between Judaism and Christianity. She uses historical case studies to explore how two faiths, which were once significantly divided, have fostered mutual appreciation.
10.30am. £176. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
until Monday 31 March
Middle East 1936-46
Join historian Paula Kitching to discover how the Middle East developed between 1936 and 1946 and learn about the rise of Arab nationalism and territorial divisions.
11am. £198, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
until Thursday 31 July
Hebrew Language for Beginners
Whether you have Jewish heritage or simply a love for languages, discover the magic of the Hebrew dialect in this course designed specifically for beginners.
8pm. £35 per session. 15 Kidderpore Avenue, NW3 7SJ. www.spiroark.org
Wednesday 5 February
Youth Interfaith Summit
This years Youth Interfaith Summit, the largest youth-based interfaith gathering in the UK, gives participants a space to think collaboratively about the role of faith and religion in driving a more positive global outcome. With expert speakers, workshops and networking, explore topics including communication, self-reflection, influence and international engagement. Suitable from age 14.
6pm. Up to £6.13. London School of Economics, WC2A 2AE. www.faithbeliefforum.org
Tuesday 25 February – Tuesday 25 March
Will Any Jews of the 20th Century Survive into Jewish History?
Look at well-known Jewish personalities of the last century with educational consultant, magistrate and presenter Clive Lawton OBE. This five-week workshop examines if any of these near-contemporaries will remain known in the generations to come.
11am. £90, £20 per session. ONLINE & JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Thursday 6 March
Purim Wine Tasting Evening
Explore some of the best kosher wines from around the world with wine journalist Tal Sunderland-Cohen. Samples on the night come from vineyards in France, Spain, the United States and Argentina. You’ll be able to purchase bottles on the night, just in time for Purim!
7.30pm. £45. JW3, NW3 6ET. www.jw3.org.uk
Saturday 15 March
The End of the War in Europe
In this full-day masterclass, learn how World War II ended in Europe and what happened in the aftermath. From the challenges of Allied soldiers to survivors of the Nazi persecution and the leaders who shaped the post-war period, see how people coped with and understood the world-changing events.
10am. £78. Imperial War Museum London, SE1 6HZ. www.iwm.org.uk
Sunday 18 – Friday 23 August
Golden Peacock: Sing Yiddish
Shura Lipovsky – Yiddish singer, teacher and artistic director of Golden Peacock leads this course for singers wishing to deepen their knowledge of Yiddish music. Participants will focus on music theory, range, roots and. There will also be a communal dancing session with both Klezfest and Golden Peacock students. This is one of the only opportunities in the UK to immerse yourself in the world of Yiddish song with like-minded people from different backgrounds. Hosted by the Jewish Music Institute.
10am-6pm. £165-£260. SOAS University of London, WC1H 0XG. www.jmi.org.uk
Sunday 17 – Friday 22 August
Ot Azoy! Learn Yiddish
The Jewish Music Institute presents fully immersive classes in Yiddish language, song and culture for all levels and backgrounds. International Yiddish expert Dr Khayele Beer leads the course, while head of faculty Shura Lipovsky leads daily sessions in Yiddish song.
Times vary. £175-£290. SOAS University of London, WC1H 0XG. www.jmi.org.uk