Simcha on the Square, the annual celebration of Jewish culture in Trafalgar Square, has been cancelled this year because organisers have been unable to secure enough funding from the Greater London Authority.
Instead, the GLA will be sponsoring a beefed-up Klezmer in the Park to take place in Regent’s Park on September 6.

The GLA had underwritten almost half the £100,000 cost of last year’s Simcha, the third since its inauguration.

Simcha director Geraldine Auerbach said: “The GLA has expressed very clear wishes to continue partnership with the Jewish cultural community but was unable to say what funds would be available.”

But, she added, it was able to pledge enough to Klezmer in the Park “to present a really wonderful day which will still be able to achieve our aims of providing a day of Jewish culture”.

The event will be compered by comedian David Schneider.
A GLA spokesman said: “The organisers of Simcha in the Square have decided not to go ahead with the event this year and have approached the GLA about working together on alternative options. The GLA has committed to supporting Klezmer in the Park and will be providing £20,000 to the event.”