Nice, eclectic, interesting and intellectually stimulating, the Jewish Book Week started, as any respectable event should, by an opening gala, where the “glamorous face” of BBC News, Emily Maitlis challenged three contemporary personalities (the novelist and essayist Linda Grant, the accomplished pianist and writer Eva Hoffman and the illustrious historian Simon Schama) in an engaging debate about being Jewish in the 50s.

 Many discussions and speeches held during the next days as well as the movies broadcasted during this week focused on the tight relationship between Jewish and British culture. One such example is Rachel’s Kolsky launch. Her “Jewish London” is a guide about the traces of a rich Jewish cultural heritage visible on London’s landmarks. The face of post-war suburban Britainis seen through a teenager’s eyes in Michele’s Hanson book and the author revealed interesting details during her conversation with a reputed journalist – Stephanie Calman. Contemporary issues such as the Arab spring’s consequences upon Israel and this country’s position in the Middle East or its relationship with the European Left have not been forgotten.

 However, not everything was about history and politics at Jewish Book Week. Food and its social and cultural aspects made the topic of a very instructive meeting with Claudia Roden. Artistic talents and crafts were highly praised and the typically Jewish creativity was celebrated through numerous workshops. Willow Winston’s Installation was a perfect example.

Nowadays Purim is being celebrated, outside the synagogues, all over the world where Jewish people live, by means of festive meals, costume parties and specific theatre performances. The British capital is home to large Jewish communities located in neighborhoods like Barnet, Stamford Hill or Golders Green. Therefore, there are plenty of choices if you want to participate to a Purim celebration. For instance, on Wednesday, March 7^th, you can attend a glamorous party at the Saatchi Shul. This unconventional Jewish educational institution organizes a club event in the style of the Roaring Twenties.

Another option, for the same evening, is to put on a costume and head towards the Centre for Jewish Life (Media House,4 Stratford Place) where DJ Osher Dahan will entertain all party lovers with a Hawaiian Purim Paradise. The drinking feast tradition is sacredly respected as the organizers offer a wide range of exotic cocktails and drinks through free open bar.

An international organization with twenty-nine branches in different American cities and other sixteen outside the United States, Moishe House offers a traditional Purim dinner where special dishes like Oznei Haman (triangular shaped cakes evoking the legend’s antagonist character), Kreplach or Koilitch can be tasted. Live music, puppetry and other theatrical performances will ensure the convivial atmosphere.

 Why was this date chosen? In the Mediterranean area, the rainy season begins around another Jewish holiday called Sukkot, celebrated on the 15^th day of the first month in the Hebrew calendar. There are about four months since that moment for the rain to saturate the soil and for the trees to produce fruit. It is, indeed, at this time of year that trees emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new flowering cycle.

 This year, the holiday of Tu Bishvat fell on February 7^th-8^th. The large Jewish communities inLondon celebrated it, respecting all the customs and traditions. For instance, on this day it is customary to eat the fruit with which the Old Testament praises theHoly Land): olives, dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates. This is why, on the holiday’s eve, all Jewish residents of London were invited to join Torah Action Life for a Fruity Tu Bishvat Party at St John’s Wood Synagogue.

 Another Tu Bishvat tradition, of a later origin, refers to planting trees on this day. This custom began at the beginning of the 20^th century, when the forestation of Israel became an urgent matter. Taking on this tradition, the Jewish Community Center organized an event for kids at Garden Museum. Here the children learned how to make the difference between different species of trees, they took part to a trees sapling action and they even could take the little plants home.

I am therefore delighted to give my support to Open Jewish Culture and thank the London Jewish Forum and London’s cultural organisations for making it happen.

It is a terrific showcase of the different ways that Jewish people contribute to arts and culture and I hope Londoners and tourists alike will take the opportunity to find out more.

The Forum works to promote the full and active engagement of the Jewish community with civic life in London. The Forum works to oppose antisemitism,  racism and all forms of discrimination in London.

The Forum works with all parts of the Jewish community regardless of religious, cultural or political affiliations, or beliefs. In 2009, the Forum worked with 20 organisations on coordinating the publication of a the London Jewish Manifesto.

Community Relations
The Forum promotes community cohesion with its partners through the United London Stand platform supported by 7 faith communities and politicians across London.

Housing
The Forum are part of the London Community Clusters group, looking to develop housing for London’s strictly orthodox community and tackle overcrowding issues in Stamford Hill.

Olympics
The Forum has been working with Maccabi GB, UJIA and Lord Janner to establish the Jewish Committee for the London Games, ensuring that the community will be engaged in activities around the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Open Jewish Culture
The Forum has teamed up with the Capital’s many Jewish Cultural providers and the Mayor to develop Open Jewish Culture.

Youth and Students
The Forum has joined forces  with UJIA to support the London Jewish Youth Task Force, consisting of 19 youth projects serving 23.000 Londoners. The Task Force is engaged with the Forum, the GLA and the community’s work around the Olympics.

Address
32-36 Loman Street, London SE1 0EH
Contact
Phone: 020 7922 7832
Email:info@londonjewishforum.org.uk
Web: www.ljf.org.uk

British Jews who publicly oppose Israel often say they are the true upholders of the time-honoured Jewish values of social justice and compassion. Their detractors say that far from turning to their Jewish identity, they are turning against it.

And is Jewishness now always refracted through the prism of Israel, or can we be proud British Jews, irrespective of what’s happening in the most Jewish place on earth?

Join celebrated novelist and broadcasterHoward Jacobson; philosopher at St Benet’s Hall, Oxford, Brian Klug; former director of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, Antony Lerman; and award-winning journalist and commentatorMelanie Phillips. This compelling discussion will be chaired by JC editorStephen Pollard.

After the discussion, Howard Jacobson will be signing copies of his latest novel The Finkler Question which has been shortlisted for the 2010 Man Booker prize. Brian Klug will be signing copies of his book Being Jewish and Doing Justice, which comes out in October, and Melanie Phillips will be signing copies of her new book The World Turned Upside Down: The Global Battle over God, Truth and Power.

Launched on 1 March 2010, this a bold, new initiative supported by the Mayor of London and under the auspices of the London Jewish Forum. Most importantly it also marks a ground-breaking, and growing, collaboration between individuals and organisations that make Jewish culture happen.

From 27 February to 29 March, we are also showcasing everything London has to offer in print as well as online, in a special launch festival. Sign up for our news updates and you will receive an automatic link to download your personal copy. We will also let you know as we add functionality, like mobile apps.

And if you are a cultural provider exploring Jewish dimensions, please register as a producer to find out how to get involved!