The Jewish West End and its Remarkable Hidden History

About this event

Walking tour, 10.30am-12.45pm, £20 // This fascinating tour features the bustling districts of Soho and Fitzrovia which are renowned today as two of the city's most fashionable areas and the centre for entertainment and shopping. But they are also steeped in an enthralling hidden history of a vast Jewish community that once lived there: Learn of the abject poverty that existed in the West End among Jews living just a stone’s throw from the luxury homes of the ultra rich Meet Jewish personalities from the past including the billionaire’s daughter who devoted her life to creating happiness among working class girls; the tailor with 10 daughters who turned to running a pub; the London boy who won the highest civilian gallantry medal during the Second World War; and the Hebrew school pupils studying alongside (and making friends with) Soho’s red light ladies of the streets Hear how bitter rivalries split Synagogue congregations and led to a new Jewish religious movement. Stroll along famous Berwick Street, Dean Street and Frith Street with plentiful sights of Jewish interest and wonderful stories such as the comical antics of market traders, a kosher restaurant where the most enthusiastic clientele were Hollywood stars; the state school that was Jewish in all but name; and where the Great Tailors’ Strike began 100 years ago involving thousands of Jewish workers. Learn also why a tiny synagogue boasted an astonishing 1,000 congregants