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Discover Jewish London through the centuries. Re-live the memories of the people, the places, the personalities. Go Jewish London provides a wide range of informative and fun tours.

All are bookable for private groups and there is also a range of public tours for those who want to book as individuals.

Many of these walking tours can be supplemented with a visit to make your tour that extra bit special for you. We can arrange for synagogues to be open for a tour or a talk. Depending on the tour you select, if you are in east London you might like to visit Sandys Row, Bevis Marks or Nelson Street synagogues. Or maybe you might prefer to see the closed cemeteries in east London. Both the Ashkenazi and Sephardi burial offices are happy to work with us to make the arrangements. 

In central London, there are a variety of places to visit with a Jewish theme. Maybe the New West End or New London Synagogue or the Czech Memorial Scroll Museum and of course, the Jewish Museum.

Another alternative is to complement the Jewish heritage walking tour with a visit to a  venue not specifically linked to the Jewish community. For example, Wilton's Music Hall, the German Lutheran Church in Whitechapel or Denis Sever’s House. I will be pleased to help you arrange these visits and advise on any donations and entrance charges.

JEWISH EAST END with visit to SANDYS ROW SYNAGOGUE
This ever popular tour in and around Brick Lane and Spitalfields evokes the long-gone Jewish community of the late 19th and early 20th century. With synagogues, schools and soup kitchens the memories come flooding back and the tour ends with a special treat, an exclusive visit to Sandys Row Synagogue, a community founded in 1854 and housed in a converted Huguenot chapel built in 1766.

Please note: Sandys Row now charges an entry fee for group tours of £5.00 per person. This is paid to Sandys Row on arrival and not to your guide.

 I AM NOW LEADING REGULAR FRIDAY MORNING TOURS FOR LONDON WALKS
THE JEWISH QUARTER
All Fridays / All 10.45am

2019
January to September have all taken place and I am taking a brief break in October and November.
More will be scheduled for December 2019 and of course 2020 too. Watch this space and the Monthly Public Tour updates for details.
Through the 'shtetl called Whitechapel', trace the history of London’s Jewish community in the East End. A tale that embraces the expulsion of 1290, resettlement in 1656 and the poverty of the pogrom refugees.  Re-live the stories of the soup, synagogues and  spiel of the Petticoat Lane stallholders on this trail amid the alleys and back streets of colourful Spitalfields and Whitechapel.
£10.00/£8.00 conc. Meet outside Tower Hill tube by the “Tower Hill Tram” coffee stall. No need to book. Just turn up.

Includes a visit to Bevis Marks synagogue. There is an entry fee payable on arrival £4.00/£3.00 conc. National Trust members go in Half Price of basic fee (£2.50 instead of £5.00) ... so bring your card.

JEWISH THEMED TOURS!

For full details and how to book see Public Tours

2019
4 March - Radicals to Rinkoff's SOLD OUT
11 March - Lights Chutzpah Action - Bus tour
13 March - Jewish East End with visit to Sandys Row Synagogue
24 March  - Jewish London on Location - Talk and Film
31 March - Women of Worth
2 April - Jewish London at the LMA SOLD OUT
2 April - Jewish West End
10 April - Stokey: A Jewish Village SOLD OUT
8 May - At Home with the Rothschilds SOLD OUT
30 June - Money Talks: The Jewish City SOLD OUT
28 July - A Square Mile of Piety: Stamford Hill SOLD OUT
25 August - Freud's Hampstead SOLD OUT
10 September - Radicals to Rinkoff's SOLD OUT
12 September - Freud's Hampstead
15 September - Notting Hill with visit to New West End Synagogue SOLD OUT
16 October - Jewish Theatreland

PAST TOURS - to get an idea of other Jewish themed tours I lead

2018
21st January - National Portrait Gallery
25th March - Women of Worth SOLD OUT
22nd April - Freud's Hampstead SOLD OUT
17th May - A Walk of Jewish Firsts: The City SOLD OUT
24th June - Jewish Stokey SOLD OUT
5th July - Bagels to Bhajis: Jewish East End SOLD OUT
15th July - Stitch, Stitch, Stitch SOLD OUT
5th August - Hoop Lane Jewish Cemetery SOLD OUT
2nd September - Radicals to Rinkoff's (Jewish Heritage Day) SOLD OUT
13th September - Radicals to Rinkoff's SOLD OUT
16th September - Royal Connections
21st September - Stamford Hill SOLD OUT
7th October - Poets and Parades: JEE and WWI SOLD OUT
14th October - Radicals to Rinkoff's SOLD OUT
16th October - Bagels to Brady Street SOLD OUT
20th November -
Literary Hackney 
25th November - The V&A with a Jewish Twist SOLD OUT

2017
15th January - National Portrait Gallery *SOLD OUT*
5th March - 'Whitechapel in 50 Buildings' - Jewish Book Week
19th March - Women of Worth *SOLD OUT*
26th March - 'Whitechapel in 50 Buildings' - Jewish Museum
29th March - An East End Village: Mile End and Stepney *SOLD OUT*
2nd April - The Freuds in Hampstead *SOLD OUT*
23rd April - Stamford Hill *SOLD OUT*
14th May - Jewish Mayfair *SOLD OUT*
11th June - Jewish East End with Sandys Row Synagogue
9th July - Amy and Camden Town *SOLD OUT*
13th July - Bagels to Bhajis: The Jewish East End
6th August - Mile End and Stepney incl. the Cemeteries *SOLD OUT*
10th August - Bagels to Bhajis: The Jewish East End
17th September - An Oasis in Whitechapel *SOLD OUT*
24th September - Jewish Stokey
25th September - An Oasis in Whitechapel *MORNING - SOLD OUT*
25th September - An Oasis in Whitechapel *AFTERNOON - SOLD OUT*
8th October - Jewish Whitechapel incl. Cable Street
18th October - Ridley Road to The Rio: Jewish Dalston *SOLD OUT* 
12th November - Jewish Theatreland

For details of tours, see the descriptions provided on this page

To book go to Public Tours

JEWISH THEMED TOURS IN YORKSHIRE!

Yes, there is lots to discover about the Jewish community oop north. Nigel Grizzard has devised a wonderful range of walks uncovering the Jewish heritage in Bradford, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Ilkley and Harrogate.

Nigel is leading three tours for EJHD 2019 ...

Leeds: Walking the Leylands and Chapeltown: Leeds Jewry's Historic Quarters
Sunday September 8th at 10.00 (an hour earlier than in the brochure).
Book HERE
Walking Jewish Bradford
Wednesday September 11th at 11.00
Book HERE
Walking Jewish York
Sunday September 22nd at 11.00
Book HERE

NIGEL'S RANGE OF TOURS INCLUDE:
Little Germany, the Wool Exchange and Bradford City Centre - a walk through the Historic Merchant Quarters of Bradford, see the amazing buildings and hear about the lives of Bradford’s merchants who built the great Victorian city.

Explore the Leylands and Lower Chapeltown – the areas that were once the heart of the Leeds Jewish community – see what is left of the former Jewish quarters and hear how the immigrants were a key force in the growth of Leeds.

Jewish Heritage in Ilkley – A Mayor, a Bridge Builder, a Foreign Consul, the Kindertransport and the story of the Ilkley Hebrew Congregation.  Who and what were they and what were their links with the town?

Walks are led by Nigel Grizzard and will last approximately 1½ hours. To find out dates, reserve your place or ask for further information email Nigel

JEWISH THEMED EVENTS IN RAMSGATE!

Many of you have enjoyed a day out to Ramsgate discovering the wonderful story of Moses Montefiore and visiting his private synagogue, his mausoleum and the site of his seaside mansion.  The Montefiore Foundation arranges events all year round including cantorial concerts.
Click HERE to see the website with full details

JEWISH THEMED EVENTS IN CHATHAM near ROCHESTER, KENT! Keep up to date with their events. Check the website.

VINTAGE GLAMOUR in London’s East End by Michael Greisman
MORE INFORMATION IS ON THE WEBSITE
Capturing the career of Boris Bennett, the Cecil Beaton of Whitechapel, this book of classic glamorous wedding photos and portraits also includes essays by a member of Boris’s family, the fashion curator of the V&A and Rachel (yes the Rachel of Go London Tours!). The official launch was at the Bishopsgate Institute, followed by a panel discussion at the Jewish Museum and at Jewish Book Week. Rachel was thrilled to be speaking at both events.
Here is a lovely review from FamilyTree Magazine

Full details are at Hoxton Mini Press

Michael's NEXT project came to fruition - a photo-book of Jewish Servicemen and Servicewomen who served in the armed services during WW2. Contact Michael directly via email to find out more and how to purchase copies.

Private Tours 

Select your Private Tour from the list below and then please use Booking a Tour to make your enquiry.

AN EAST END STORY
Discover the streets where fact has often merged with fiction. From 'The Children of the Ghetto' to 'The People of the Abyss' and 'Chicken Soup', the streets of the Jewish East End in Whitechapel have inspired Jewish and non-Jewish writers throughout the centuries to the present day. Included are short passages from writing by, amongst others, Israel Zangwill, Jack London, Arnold Wesker and Rachel Lichtenstein.

AN EAST END VILLAGE
Walking from Mile End, Stepney Green always comes as a revelation to visitors with its attractive terraced houses and green spaces. Memories of the Jewish community remain with the old age home, Stepney Jewish School, Rothschild Dwellings, the Jewish Anarchist Club and so much more.

ARCHITECTURE TO ACADEMIA, TAIL COATS TO THE TELEGRAPH:
BALLS POND ROAD CEMETERY 
* NEW *
This new tour explores the rarely visited and very much unknown Jewish Cemetery opened by the Reform movement in 1843. With several grand tombstones, the stories range from Queen Victoria's chiropodist, the founders of Angels and the Daily Telegraph, important leaders of the Anglo-Jewish community such as the Goldschmids, Mocattas and Montefiores and the grave of the first Jewish cremation in the UK.

AT HOME WITH THE ROTHSCHILDS
Piccadilly became 'Rothschild Row' when they made their money in the City but spent it on opulent homes in London's West End. Visit the sites of the homes of Lionel, Leo, Ferdy, Alfred and their neighbours including the Duke of Wellington and Disraeli and hear the stories of love and marriage, business and charity.

BAGELS TO BRADY STREET: EAST OF BRICK LANE
Explore East of Brick Lane - with the wonderful aroma of bagels, the sights  and sounds of the street markets and designer stores you can really feel the memories of the Jewish community flood back with synagogues, the maternity home and Hughes Mansions whose residents were almost entirely Jewish when tragedy struck in 1945. This tour ends with a special treat, a visit to the closed cemetery of Brady Street.

CAMDEN TOWN - HOME TO THE JEWISH MUSEUM
Camden is an area that is full of contrasts from leafy crescents to "urban grunge". Learn of this area's development and the effect of the railways which was described graphically by ex Camden resident Charles Dickens. We'll visit famous Camden Lock, home to one of London's most popular weekend markets and we'll stroll by the Regents Canal which flows past Camden's industrial buildings and smart Victorian houses. Hear about the many famous personalities past and present who have made this area home.
*This walk can be arranged to end at the Jewish Museum where your group can then spend the afternoon*

CLAPTON 
Explore the delights of Clapton including the childhoods of Harold Pinter, entrepreneurs Lords Levy and Sugar, stylish Marc Feld and singer Helen Shapiro amid the memories of Lea Bridge Road synagogue.  The close-knit Clapton Jewish community of yesteryear has been transformed into the fast growing ultra orthodox community but the constant for both has been the pretty neighbourhood Springfield Park.

EAST END RADICALS 
East London still evokes memories of the radicals and revolutionaries who worked tirelessly to improve the working and living conditions of the predominately Jewish community. The Sidney Street Siege, Rudolph Rocker and the doss-house that was home temporarily to Stalin and Jack London all feature on this tour.

FREUD IN HAMPSTEAD
Explore the memories of the Freud family in Hampstead. Sigmund Freud escaped Nazi occupied Vienna in 1938 to 'die in freedom' and his home in Hampstead became a magnet for other European refugees. But he was not the only Freud to leave his mark in NW3. This walking tour profiles Sigmund and his friends, his daughter Anna whose work with children continues to this day in Maresfield Gardens and his son, Ernst, an architect whose modernist houses remain as testament to his talent.

Note: The tour can be configured to end at the Freud Museum 

JEWISH CITY - A WALK OF JEWISH FIRSTS
Set against the backdrop of the City of London we highlight the stories of Jewish Firsts, many of whom broke down the barriers of discrimination in Victorian England. We feature not only the first synagogues and the first Jewish MP but also a Lord Mayor, a Prime Minister and a Baronet.

JEWISH HACKNEY
Jewish life in Hackney was very vibrant. Your journey from Hackney Central to Dalston uncovers the stories of synagogues, boxing rings, Rothschild dwellings, socialist movements and the array of singers and writers for whom Hackney was their childhood home. You end at Ridley Road where bagels were sold amid the heckling of the Fascists.

Note: You may also like

HACKNEY DOWNS TO THE LOWLIFE - a literary walk in Jewish Hackney through the words and experiences of writers such as Harold Pinter, Alexander Baron, Michael Rose and Roland Camberton.

JEWISH HAMPSTEAD: MITTEL EUROPE IN NW3
As the London Jewish community migrated northwards, Hampstead became a centre for those moving in intellectual and artistic circles. Walk through this leafy suburb discovering the stories of the German-Austrian refugees of the inter-war years who did not go east but settled in NW3, including Sigmund Freud, with his daughter Anna.

Note: This tour can either end at 2 Willow Road for story of Erno Goldfinger or include a visit to Belsize Square Synagogue

JEWISH MAYFAIR
This tour highlights the stories of those who spearheaded the move west to Mayfair beginning with Montefiore and the Rothschilds. Many followed them including politicians Disraeli and Hore-Belisha, members of the Marlborough House set such as Sir Ernest Cassels, and Wolf Barnato, one of the Bentley Boys.

JEWISH WEST END
Discover Jewish connections in Soho and Fitzrovia where the rich social history includes the West Central Lads' and Girls' clubs, Westminster Jews Free School, synagogues and London's most famous literary pub, once run by Jewish landlords.

JEWISH THEATRELAND 
Explore the connections with Jewish actors, impresarios, writers and producers. The cast includes Lionel Bart, Lord Delfont, Barbra Streisand and many more. Credits are also due to Lyons for the refreshments, Moss Bros for the costumes and Freed for the dance shoes.

JEWISH WHITECHAPEL
In and around Commercial Road you can still find reminders of the vibrant Jewish community which lived and worked there. The streets and buildings evoke memories of local synagogues, street markets, medical missions and the Yiddish theatre. You will also visit Cable Street, the site of the battle against the fascists and home to Dr. Hannah Billig, the Angel of Cable Street.

LOYAL SUBJECTS
On this fascinating tour of the National Portrait Gallery you will discover members of the Jewish community who became representative British subjects in the fields of politics, finance, industry and culture. Their stories and those of the artists are also the story of the development of the Jewish community in the UK.

OLD JEWISH EAST END  ** The classic Jewish London tour **
The Jewish community may no longer live in Spitalfields but the streets and buildings still evoke memories of the synagogues, schools and soup kitchens. Not forgetting Yiddish theatre and the street markets in and around Petticoat Lane. Stories of other immigrant communities of the area, such as the Huguenots and Bengalis are also woven into the tour.

ROYAL CONNECTIONS
This tour in and around Westminster follows in the footsteps of British monarchs (and a republican), past and present. Through churches, palaces and parks you will discover some background to 'the Firm', royal personalities and at the same time uncover Jewish connections through friendships, heritage and honours bestowed.

STAMFORD HILL: A SQUARE MILE OF PIETY
This has quickly become one of the most popular tours in the repertoire. Once a wealthy residential district for Rothschilds and Montefiores it is now home to the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. Discover the background to the various synagogues including Egerton Road, schools and shops, an historic sweet manufacturer, the difference between Bobover and Belz, Kedassia and Beth Din and taste some authentic rugelach.

STOKEY: A JEWISH VILLAGE
Today, the ultra-orthodox community predominates but with its neighbourhood park, numerous synagogues and shops, this tour provides an insight into the early Jewish migration from the East End northwards and community initiatives such as maternity homes, schools and social housing associated with communal leaders such as the Bearsted and Schonfeld families.

WILLESDEN CEMETERY: FURNITURE TO FINANCE, POLITICS TO PRAYER
Discover the many and varied members of the Anglo-Jewish elite  for whom Willesden Cemetery is their last home. Their stories are fascinating ranging from the first Jewish MP and first Jewish Lord, both Rothschilds, discovery of DNA, diamond Randlords,  the first Singers Prayer Book and a  furniture manufacturer once the largest in the UK.

WILLESDEN CEMETERY - A SECOND LOOK: FOOTWEAR, FILMS, DIETS AND DANCING
If you enjoyed Rachel's first tour of Willesden Cemetery, join her to discover more of its fascinating residents including Jack Cohen and Charles Clore who dominated Britain's High Streets with their shoe shops and supermarkets. Band leader Geraldo, film director and gourmand Michael Winner, dietician John Yudkin also feature alongside Mrs Shilling with her amazing headwear.

WOMEN OF WORTH 
Discover Jewish and non-Jewish women alike who made an impact on the Jewish community of the East End as you weave through the  backstreets of  Whitechapel and Spitalfields. Stories include those associated with Alice Model and her maternity hospital, Miriam Moses and her youth work, the philanthropy of the Rothschild ladies, suffragette and local politician Minnie Lansbury and local GP, Hannah Billig.

Shoshana Eden greeting cards now available!

A wonderful new range of Jewish shtetl and home life in Eastern Europe themed greeting cards by the Polish artist Shoshana Eden is now available online via Green Pebble and soon in gift shops too.
Discover more about Shoshana and her life and work HERE

Go Jewish London

Public tours/talks
Recent and Coming Up Soon

To book see Public Tours
There are lots of walks scheduled for 2016.
Check your diary and 
Book Now
!!

2016

17th January - Freuds in Hampstead *SOLD OUT*
24th January - House of Schmatte - Taster Tours
27th January - Mittel Europe in NW3 with visit to Belsize Square Synagogue *SOLD OUT*
2nd March - From Hackney Downs to the Lowlife
6th March - Bagels to Brady Street
9th March - Spitalfields: The Story
20th March - Jewish East End with visit to Sandys Row Synagogue * MORNING TOUR SOLD OUT*
20th March - Jewish East End with visit to Sandys Row Synagogue *AFTERNOON TOUR - ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT*
22nd March - At Home with the Rothschilds *SOLD OUT
6th April - Jewish Theatreland
10th April - Hoop Lane Cemetery
11th May - Jewish East End with visit to Sandys Row Synagogue
15th May - Stitch, Stitch, Stitch
17th May - Jewish Brighton
10th July - Birmingham Limmud - I am speaking on Jewish Hospitals and Care in London
17th July - Stamford Hill
17th July - Camden Town: Amy's Spiritual Home
10th August - Mittel Europe in NW3 with visit to Belsize Square Synagogue
11th September - Jewish Clapton
3rd November - Poetry to Parades: Jewish East End and WWI
6th November - Jewish City
14th December - Jewish Theatreland

For details of tours, see the descriptions provided on this page

To book go to Public Tours

 

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and Roslyn Rawson

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