Life

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Slam Frank, the controversial play that knows who’s in on the joke ★★★★★

By Jocelin Weiss

3 min read

Books

Goodbye to Berlin – a lost Jewish Germany is brought back to life in an epic saga

David Bennun has high praise for The Effingers, a beautifully subtle novel describing Germany’s slide into Nazism

By David Bennun

5 min read

Jewish life

Beyond Borehamwood: Where are British Jews moving to?

Let’s play Jewish geography for real – you might be surprised to hear some of the places where Jewish families are building new communities

6 min read

York was scene of a medieval pogrom, and was shunned by Jews for many years. But now it's home to a growing Liberal community

It is called Christmas Day but it is about being Jewish

Nigel Lindsay on why he’s pleased to play a Jew on the London stage amid soaring antisemitism

5 min read

Short fuse: Nigel Lindsay in Christmas Day at Almeida Theatre (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Jewish food

Celebrating the spice-filled cuisine of my Bukharian Jewish ancestors

Lillian Cordell’s book, Miriam’s Table shares the food her parents grew up so it does not die out

3 min read

Lifestyle

Food

Meet the courageous Jewish Instagrammers who are cooking up a storm for Israel

The online food world has become a cold house for Jews, but the hostility has made some influencers louder about their Zionism. Zoe Strimpel reports – and discovers their Chanukah treats

By Zoe Strimpel

9 min read

Solidarity: (l to r) Sivan Kobi, Adeena Sussman and Ruhama Shitrit

Chanukah

Thank socialism for our Chanukah doughnuts

In modern times the sugary bites have become the most popular food for the Festival of Lights, but the reason might surprise you

By Simon Rocker

2 min read

On everyone's lips: sufganiyot must be one of the most commonly used Hebrew words in the diaspora

This version of Roald Dahl’s BFG shows that giants can be small and pathetic ★★★★

Unlike The Witches in which Dahl was accused of having Jews in mind when he created the cabal of child-killers, Jewish theatregoers can relax with this adaptation

2 min read

Not so gentle: Ellemie Shivers (as Sophie) with the gargantuan puppet (Photo: Marc Brenner)

jewish pantomime

Oh yes they have! This panto is unashamedly Jewish – and all the funnier for it ★★★★

The makers of Cinderella and the Matzo Ball deserve all the praise (naches) for conjuring up something so blissfully unapologetic at a time of Jewish erasure in the arts

By Etan Smallman

2 min read

Behind you! The Giant Prawn in the JW3 panto (Photo: Charlie Flint)

Theatre

A Dracula spoof to enjoy, but no fangs for my seat ★★★

Excellent music and the jokes come thick and fast. I just wish I could have seen what was happening centre stage!

1 min read

Ciarán Dowd in Dracapella (Photo: Craig Sugden)

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold review: ‘hugely satisfying stage adaptation’★★★★

There is a strong Jewish presence in this taut le Carré Cold War thriller which has more twists than a cheese stick

1 min read

Setting the trap: Rory Kennan as British spy Alec Leamas (Credit: Johan Persson)

JW3

Meet the Jewish Cinderella at the heart of JW3’s Chanukah panto

Cinderella is a baker in the Kosher Kingdom in this Jewish version of the classic fairy tale

1 min read

Cinderella and the Matzo Ball. From left: Talya Soames as Buttons, Talia Pick as Cinderella, and Rosie Yadid as Milchig. (Photo: JW3)

All My Sons review: Bryan Cranston is terrific in this new Arthur Miller revival ★★★★

Ivo van Hove’s direction of the author’s 1955 hit peels back the central family’s secrets with cinematic vigour

1 min read

ALL MY SONS. Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Kate Keller) and Richard Hansell (Dr Jim Bayliss). Photo: Jan Versweyveld

Film & TV

All TV

Film

Peter Hujar’s Day review: ‘a hymn to the wet process of photography’ ★★★★