The History of London's Jewish Community

London's Jewish History

For over 350 years, until the reign of Oliver Cromwell, London had no official Jewish presence, except for isolated individuals who practiced Judaism secretly. 

While Cromwell never officially readmitted Jews to Britain, the small community of Jews which had taken up residence in London was allowed to stay. 

Just over 200 years later, Jews were finally allowed to sit in Parliament.

London's East End: Jewish Heritage

From the late 1800s to just before World War II, thousands of Jews from Russia and Eastern Europe arrived in London, settling into the East End around Whitechapel and Stepney, close to where their ships had docked. 

Many Jews living in London today are descendants of  these East End immigrants and they have had a lasting impact on the character of the area.

London's Jewish Neighbourhoods: Whitechapel

The streets around Whitechapel thronged with Jewish cabinet makers, tailors, shoesmiths and cigarette makers, who rubbed shoulders with actors, artists and musicians. Artists such as Mark Gertler and poets, including Isaac Rosenberg, emerged from the area's flourishing artistic scene, while Yiddish Theatre, Jewish newspapers and political organisations thrived.

Post-War London's Jewish Communities

In the 1930s and 40s, London became a haven for Jews fleeing from  Nazi persecution. 

After the war, the community became more integrated and prospered, and began to move out of the poor East End tenements, first settling in Hackney, and then to areas such as Golders Green and Hendon in the north and Gants Hill and Goodmayes further east.

London's Recent Jewish History

More recently, the community has been joined by Jews arriving from a number of countries, including South Africa, India and Iraq. 

Today, Jewish life is enjoying a renaissance boosted by a steady trickle of young Israelis who have added a Middle Eastern flavour to London's Jewish cultural brew.

Since settling in London, the community has developed many social and political communal institutions, including Jewish Care, Norwood Ravenswood, the Board of Deputies and more recently the London Jewish Forum.