All of us Jews, humans and pickles alike, have been having a pretty hard time over the past couple of years, with the exponential increase in antisemitism. Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg had the brilliant idea that we should celebrate everything about being Jewish. In my family, we know just how important it is to preserve our flavour and identity, so it’s beautiful to see everyone coming together and refusing to fade into the background like a forgotten cucumber at the back of the fridge.
There are over 100 events planned for Jewish Culture Month – if you had to pick your top five, what would they be?
There’s going to be a fascinating talk at the V&A Storehouse called Up Close: Jewish Material Culture from the Middle East and North Africa, which will be exploring objects of Jewish origin from the V&A’s Middle East and North Africa collections.
Tate Modern is hosting ‘Collection Conversations’ led by staff and Tate volunteers, inviting visitors to explore works by Jewish artists in the collection.
Oxford’s Bodleian Library is presenting Hebrew and Jewish Book Culture in Medieval and Early Modern England. The talk will highlight two instances of the intellectual production of Jewish scholars and their close collaboration with Christian scholars in England in past centuries.
Over at JW3, you will be able to see L’Chaim / L’Chaos: 50 Years of Jewish Punk, which tells the story of the figures with Jewish roots have been present at pivotal moments in punk history.
The arty among you might want to make your way over to Design Your Own Challah Cover, at the Manchester Museum. Textile designer Francesca Kletz will be teaching about Jewish traditions and symbolism and you will be able to create your own personalised challah cover.
Having said that, it’s tough to single out events, there are just too many good ones. Check out the programme at jewishculturemonth.org.uk.
Mr Pickle loves a proper salt beef beigel (Photo: Board of Deputies)[Missing Credit]
Your motto is “less oy, more joy” – what would you say to British Jews who are, understandably, struggling to channel much joy right now?
I completely understand the sadness that everyone is feeling right now, but I have the solution – it’s a combination of vinegar, sugar, water and optional dill. Pickles, served alongside a good dose of Jewish cultural brilliance, will bring joy to everyone’s life. Add that to over 100 brilliant cultural events, and suddenly life feels a lot less sour. Come out, get involved, soak it all in, metaphorically – not like me, obviously.
You have been out and about on the streets of London a lot lately – have you got into any sticky situations?
I’ve been everywhere: landmarks, galleries, the City. My personal favourite? The Gherkin. Finally, architecture that understands me.
In the art world I very much enjoyed viewing the works of Damien Hirst – I really think he’s onto something. I’ve had a brilliant reception nearly everywhere I’ve been so far, although I’ve had to be a little careful when visiting delis and burger joints as I don’t want to leave in one of the sandwiches.
We saw you rubbing shoulders with the great and the good at the Jewish Culture Month launch – which Jewish celebrities and allies are the menschiest of the bunch?
We’ve got some brilliant friends and allies out there. Vanessa Feltz gave a speech at the launch that really packed a punch. Tracy-Ann Oberman has been an absolute force. Maureen Lipman – what an icon. I’d love to be in her fridge.
Rachel Riley has been fantastic, and a shout-out to Boy George, not only for his support, but for rocking Hebrew back in the Eighties. A man ahead of his thyme… I mean, time.
Mr Pickle says he was well received on the streets of London (Photo: Board of Deputies)[Missing Credit]
Finally, a quick-fire pickle round:
- Sweet or sour?
Depends on the mood and the marinade.
- Dill or bread and butter?
I don’t like to be labelled (except for kashrut reasons, of course).
- Vinegar or fermented?
Pickles are pickles. End of.
We pickles are an eclectic community. Some of my best friends are suspended in brine, my Israeli family are spicy chamutz and my American mishpocha are sour dill. None of us should be fermenting hate. When it comes to the crunch, we all need each other.
Find out more about Jewish Culture Month here.
