The circus will be coming to Ealing Liberal Synagogue on Saturday night – with its rabbi among the performers.

Rabbi Miri Lawrence became captivated by circus life three years ago at the age of 54, shortly after finishing her doctorate in Jewish history.

“I found that I had more time on my hands,” she explained. “I had gone to see some people doing aerial yoga. Then I saw that there were these places that you could learn to do hoops and trapeze. 

“I signed up and have really enjoyed it. The community is so inclusive. You’re welcomed. I immediately loved the performance side of it and the people I met.” 

For her community’s event, which is open to non-members, the shul will be transformed into a makeshift big top for a programme of aerial acrobatics, trapeze, tightrope walking and strongmen, with the assistance of My Aerial Home in Sydenham.

“There’ll be something for everybody. It’s ‘for children of any age’, as they say.” 

As well as performances, there will be workshops and talks with a focus on the history of Jewish travelling circuses.

One example is the Blumenfeld family who, at the turn of the 20th century, ran one of the world’s most successful travelling circuses with six tents, 130 horses, and a string orchestra, regularly attracting 4,000 crowds.

Rabbi Lawrence had researched the Blumenfelds and other Jewish circus families during lockdown, combining her newfound love with her doctorate subject. 

Miri Lawrence

Ealing Liberal Synagogue rabbi Miri Lawrence

“It was vital for creative people to find outlets,” she recalled, “and for me as a rabbi to think on how to bring people into the community.  

“It has always been important to me to research religious communities and that’s where I came across this fascinating and little-known world.  

“The story we are telling is a story of Jewish community.”

Rabbi Lawrence added that with circus performing having become “so important in my life, why not share what I love and make it relevant to my community?

“I can provide something that will be really different and a good memory for all – as long as I don’t fall off!”