Life

Inside the big Jewish theatre fightback

Amid the hurtful cancellations and quiet blockings, a defiant Anglo-Jewry is springing up with shows that celebrate Jewish identity and concerns

By Elisa Bray

8 min read

Books

There’s no easy cure for the world’s longest hatred. But this book is a start

By Nicole Lampert

2 min read

Make me a match: Michelle and Saul (Photo: Gary Manhine)

JC blind date

The JC Blind Date: ‘After I said I don’t eat non-kosher meat, he ordered a lamb shank’

By Karen Glaser

2 min read

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Writing pair: Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich

Theatre

‘When I first saw the images I felt sick to my stomach’

By John Nathan

6 min read

Super slider AJ Edelman (Photo: David Zimand)

Winter Olympics

From obese yeshivah student to Slider-Man – the remarkable run of Israel’s Olympic bobsleigh pilot

Is bobsleighng permitted on Shabbat? Yes it is says this Orthodox athlete

By Jane Prinsley

6 min read

Art

Peter Kien stowed his art in a suitcase before the Nazis murdered him – now it’s finally in safe hands

The Wiener Library has just acquired 681 drawings, poems and letters by Kien, whose work has been recovered after an 80-year journey

By Eliana Jordan

5 min read

One of the drawings from Theresienstadt found in Kien's suitcase

Film

Hamlet review: ‘watchable but wearying’★★

This bold and radical version of Shakespeare’s most famous play is lost in a south Indian translation

By John Nathan

1 min read

Friends with benefits: Morfydd Clark as Ophelia and Riz Ahmed as Hamlet in this London-set version of the play

Theatre

Arcadia review: ‘gardens, maths and heart in Stoppard’s masterpiece’ ★★★★

This play is proof that the late playwright can make you feel as much as think

By John Nathan

1 min read

Stellar performance: Isis Hainsworth as Thomasina in Arcadia at The Old Vic

Lifestyle

Holocaust film

One rabbi’s search for the boys who survived an Auschwitz gas chamber

Rabbi Naftali Schiff’s 20-year mission to track down the 51 boys who left Crematorium 5 alive has resulted in a book and film

By Eliana Jordan

3 min read

Rabbi Naftali Schiff, left, and Michael Calvin, co-authors of the book 'Miracle'. (Jacob Gersch photography)

Books

The horror behind Hayim Bialik’s most feted poem

On the Slaughter is considered the Russian-Jewish poet’s masterpiece, as well as his most controversial work

By David Herman

1 min read

The horror behind Hayim Bialik’s most feted poem

Death

How I learnt that Judaism does grief well

A decade after her mother’s death, Sarah Ebner reflects on how Jewish rituals helped her cope with her loss

By Sarah Ebner

4 min read

Mishpachah: (clockwise from top left) Sarah Ebner's mother Ann and her father Henry on their wedding day in August 1964; Henry's tallit at Sarah's neice's wedding last December; Ann and Henry in 2014; Sarah with her mother in 2012

Ireland

The showbiz dynasty that brought Tinseltown glamour to Dublin

Author Wendy Elliman tells Jenni Frazer how her forebears built an entertainment empire in Ireland – from scratch

By Jenni Frazer

6 min read

Theatre

Guess How Much I Love You?: ‘the acting elevates the writing’ ★★★

The performances in this portrait of a pregnancy in crisis are marvellous. But whether the play reveals anything about love is questionable

By John Nathan

1 min read

Masters of their craft: Rosie Sheehy and Robert Aramayo

Theatre

Challah, humour, the Holocaust and me

John Nathan meets a writer-performer whose latest show is inspired by her encounters with Leonard Bernstein, Leonard Cohen – and being the daughter of a Shoah survivor

By John Nathan

4 min read

Theatre

Woman in Mind review: Sheridan Smith sparkles in Alan Ayckbourn’s dark comedy ★★★★★

The actor will surely be in line for an umpteenth Olivier nomination for her quicksilver performance of Susan and her disintegrating mind

By John Nathan

1 min read

Mad release: Sheridan Smith and Sule Rimi as Susan and Andy (Photo: Marc Brenner)

Theatre

Into The Woods review: Goyishe Brothers Grimm gloriously reinvented by a Jewish creative team ★★★★★

Jordan Fein’s masterpiece interpretation of this European fable draws from real life to subvert the idea of happily every after

By John Nathan

2 min read

Katie Brayben as the baker's wife in Into The Woods. (Credit: Johan Persson)

Film & TV

All TV

The bully and the bullied: Dylan O'Brien as Brad in Send Help

Film

Send Help review: gruesomely enjoyable modern-day castaway tale ★★★★

By John Nathan

2 min read

Mercy review: ‘less high-tech whodunnit and more Paw Patrol’ ★★

This thriller about AI wants to be taken seriously, but it’s too short on class for that

By John Nathan

1 min read

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: ‘a knuckle-whitening climax to the trilogy’ ★★★★

The series has always had a higher IQ than most other horror franchises, and this instalment is no exception

By John Nathan

1 min read

Giselle review: a brilliant, shocking interpretation’ ★★★★★

Themes of betrayal and enduring love in this bold reimagining of a classic ballet

By Joy Sable

1 min read

Travel

All Travel

The richly decorated Spanish Synagogue bears Magen David motifs, which Czech Jews were the first in the world to adopt as their personal symbol in 1358 (Photo: Dana Cabanova)

Travel

In praise of Prague

By Anthea Gerrie

5 min read

Grandfather’s ski-steps

Until last January, only one other member of Karen Glaser’s family had taken to the slopes. Then she went skiing in the majestic Dolomites

By Karen Glaser

3 min read

Keeping kosher in marvellous Montenegro

It was made famous by James Bond. And the hechshered hospitality at Dukley Hotel & Resort is outstanding. But where exactly is this enchanting country?

By Victoria Prever

6 min read

South Africa with a Jewish flavour

Two centuries after the first Jew made it his home, the ‘Rainbow Nation’ is now a must-see corner of the diaspora. But for all its attractions – Big Five safaris, stunning coastlines – it’s still chained to the inequalities of its past

By Karen Glaser

9 min read

Books

All Books

Leading the way: Kaplan and Carlebach's new book, and Jewish women dancing at the Jews' Infant School charity ball at Willis's Rooms in London in 1872

Books

If you wanted something done in Jewish Europe 300 years ago, who did you ask?

By Jennifer Lipman

3 min read

What’s the difference between an emigrant and an immigrant?

Our critic rounds up the best new titles for young readers, from science and fairy tales to discussion-starters

By Angela Kiverstein

1 min read

‘Do we really want to know about human goodness?’

Historian Anthony Seldon discusses his new book about the Shoah’s unsung heroes with Etan Smallman

By Etan Smallman

5 min read

What it means to grow up as a Jewish child from Cuba

A recipe developer talks to Eliana Jordan about her debut novel for children

By Eliana Jordan

2 min read

Music

All Music

Music

Haunting music of the exiled composers

By Mark Glanville

3 min read

2025 in review: Music

It’s been a difficult year for Jewish musicians and music fans alike, but Elisa Bray says virtuoso musicianship defiantly drowned out the hate

By Elisa Bray

4 min read

London venue appalled by Primal Scream’s use of ‘antisemitic imagery’ during gig

The band displayed a Star of David entwined with a Nazi symbol during a performance of their song Swastika Eyes

By Jacob Jaffa

2 min read

Björk, Lorde and Paul Weller join 1,000 artists and labels to block Israelis from streaming their music

A new campaign aims to pressure music companies such as Sony, UMG and Warner to follow suit

By Jamie Shapiro

1 min read

Sport

All Sport

Hungarian-born siblings and alpine skiers Barnabás and Noa Szőllős are both competing in Italy

Winter Olympics

Slalom aleichem! Meet the Jewish and Israeli athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics

By Ben Conway

4 min read

Longstanding Maccabi League chair David Wolff was a towering figure in Jewish sport

His influence on grassroots football spanned more than seven decades

By Ashley Lerner

2 min read

Basketball superstar Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli selected for NBA All-Star Game

The Portland Trail Blazers’ small forward finished ahead of legends like LeBron James in the fan ballot to cement his status as one of the top 24 players in the world today

By Ben Conway

1 min read

‘My country is my pride’: Israeli footballer Tai Abed ‘turns down millions’ to play for UAE national side

Abed, 21, is one of Israeli football’s biggest rising stars

By Ben Conway

1 min read

Let's Eat

All Food

Chocolate

Chocolate coated dates stuffed with tahini pistachio paste

By Denise Phillips

Cook time: 5 minutes

Recipe

Chocolate snacking cake

Parev and vegan, this cake is a real crowd-pleaser, and the ultimate Shabbat dessert

By Edd Kimber

Cook time: 35 - 45 minutes

Recipe

Chocolate coconut cherry bites

This no-bake chocolate treat makes a simple parev pudding – or delicious gift

By Amelia Wasiliev

Cook time: Chill: 1 - 3 hours

Recipe

Peanut butter choc chip cookies

Gooey and indulgent – these are plant-based perfection

By Philip Khoury

Cook time: 12 - 15 minutes

Life

Inside the big Jewish theatre fightback

Sex, lies and terrorists

There’s no easy cure for the world’s longest hatred. But this book is a start

The JC Blind Date: ‘After I said I don’t eat non-kosher meat, he ordered a lamb shank’

JC LifeDelivered Weekly

Unlock access to our community and get the latest news straight to your inbox!

‘When I first saw the images I felt sick to my stomach’

From obese yeshivah student to Slider-Man – the remarkable run of Israel’s Olympic bobsleigh pilot

Peter Kien stowed his art in a suitcase before the Nazis murdered him – now it’s finally in safe hands

Hamlet review: ‘watchable but wearying’★★

Arcadia review: ‘gardens, maths and heart in Stoppard’s masterpiece’ ★★★★

Lifestyle

One rabbi’s search for the boys who survived an Auschwitz gas chamber

The horror behind Hayim Bialik’s most feted poem

How I learnt that Judaism does grief well

The showbiz dynasty that brought Tinseltown glamour to Dublin

Theatre

Guess How Much I Love You?: ‘the acting elevates the writing’ ★★★

Challah, humour, the Holocaust and me

Woman in Mind review: Sheridan Smith sparkles in Alan Ayckbourn’s dark comedy ★★★★★

Into The Woods review: Goyishe Brothers Grimm gloriously reinvented by a Jewish creative team ★★★★★

Film & TV

Send Help review: gruesomely enjoyable modern-day castaway tale ★★★★

Mercy review: ‘less high-tech whodunnit and more Paw Patrol’ ★★

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: ‘a knuckle-whitening climax to the trilogy’ ★★★★

Giselle review: a brilliant, shocking interpretation’ ★★★★★

Travel

In praise of Prague

Grandfather’s ski-steps

Keeping kosher in marvellous Montenegro

South Africa with a Jewish flavour

Books

If you wanted something done in Jewish Europe 300 years ago, who did you ask?

What’s the difference between an emigrant and an immigrant?

‘Do we really want to know about human goodness?’

What it means to grow up as a Jewish child from Cuba

Music

Haunting music of the exiled composers

2025 in review: Music

London venue appalled by Primal Scream’s use of ‘antisemitic imagery’ during gig

Björk, Lorde and Paul Weller join 1,000 artists and labels to block Israelis from streaming their music

Sport

Slalom aleichem! Meet the Jewish and Israeli athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Longstanding Maccabi League chair David Wolff was a towering figure in Jewish sport

Basketball superstar Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli selected for NBA All-Star Game

‘My country is my pride’: Israeli footballer Tai Abed ‘turns down millions’ to play for UAE national side

Let's Eat

Chocolate coated dates stuffed with tahini pistachio paste

Chocolate snacking cake

Chocolate coconut cherry bites

Peanut butter choc chip cookies