Jewish History in Westminster: A Tale of Twists and Turns

Suitable for young teenagers +When looking for Jewish history anywhere in London nowadays much of the old Jewish fabric is lost; many buildings were bombed, redeveloped, slum-cleared or repurposed. The heart of Westminster is not like this. Westminster is England’s royal and political power base. Through history the Jews’ status and freedoms in British society have been dictated, determined and legislated from this one small area. It’s from here that the Jews’ place in Britain has been defined and directed since the 1100s. The Jewish experience that has resulted from Westminster’s authority tells a diverse story of admission, expulsion, readmission, legislation, emancipation and integration.When searching here for Jewish history much survives. Or at least fragments of Jewish history survive within buildings, through statues or on memorials. You just have to look for it. Many people, both Jewish and non-Jewish, have played their part in this one-thousand-year story, many ‘visible’ in one way or another during this walking tour. Many of the buildings where our story happens still stand, very much here in the present, and on our tour route.This tour is not a misty-eyed wander through the old Jewish ghettos. What’s really fascinating is the political history of the Jews in England, which divides into two parts. The Jews of medieval England were expelled in 1290. Modern Anglo-Jewish history starts with readmission in 1656 and much follows, right up until today, where we’ll discover modern Jewish contributions to Britain’s political life.It’s a dramatic story; and where did this 1000-year story take place? On our tour route of course.