Facing the autumn, and with it, beginnings

Dear members,

In August we heard of the death of one of our members and a distinguished historian of the modern Jewish experience, Professor William (Bill) Rubinstein. I am very grateful to Michael Jolles for writing in Bill's memory, and share his words from 23 August 2024 with you:

Professor William D. Rubinstein, OAM, was born in New York and educated at Swarthmore College and Johns Hopkins University (PhD). He held professorial posts at Deakin University, Aberystwyth University (1995-2012) and Monash University. He was foundation editor of the Journal of the Jewish Historical Society of Australia, and the author of a number of books on Australian Jewry, including The Jews in Australia (1986) and The Jews in Australia: a Thematic History (1991). He was an Anglophile, an expert on the wealthiest individuals in Britain over recent centuries, and a prolific author of books and articles, including British history. In 1996, he wrote A History of the Jews in the English-Speaking world: Great Britain. For the Encyclopaedia Judaica (2006), he was the editor and author of scores of articles on British and Commonwealth topics (except Canada). In 2011, he was author and editor (with Michael Jolles and Hilary Rubinstein) of The Palgrave Dictionary of Anglo-Jewish History. Amongst his many other publications, he wrote The Myth of Rescue: Why the Democracies could not have saved the Jews from the Nazis (1997), Philosemitism (1999), and Genocide: a History (2004).

As president of the Jewish Historical Society of England (2002-2004), he was very proud to have been following the footsteps of such significant figures as Cecil Roth. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 2022 for services to Jewish history and tertiary education. He is survived by his wife, Dr Hilary L. Rubinstein, OAM, historian and co-author with ‘Bill’ of a number of publications.     

September sees the renewal of our programme of lectures and meetings after what I hope has been for you a pleasant summer. While the world continue to hurl challenges to anyone interested in the history of Jews and Judaism, we continue to offer JHSE members a wide range of informative and edifying opportunities to learn more.

I am delighted to invite you to join:

26 September 2024, 8pm: John Hilary, At Home: The Jewish History of Kensington Palace Gardens

Dr Hannah Ewence, member of the JHSE Advisory Board and historian at the University of Chester, has kindly agreed to chair this session in my absence on other business. I shall catch up with the recording that will be posted soon after the event. Do sign up here: https://www.jhse.org/event-details/at-home-the-jewish-history-of- kensington-palace-gardens

31 October 2024, 8pm: Professor Martin Goodman (Emeritus, University of Oxford), The Truth about Herod the Great based on his new book (you will be able to purchase it with a discount) https://www.jhse.org/event-details/the-truth-about-herod-the-great

By far the largest item of JHSE expenditure is our support for research projects. We are always overwhelmed by the number of excellent and worthy projects: from individuals and communities, from PhD researchers and citizen historians. This year the panel led by Trustee Professor Tony Kushner selected nine projects for support. They range across periods, places, and topics, and I encourage you to read about them at this link: https://www.jhse.org/post/jhse-award-winners At the end of their projects award holders offer a report to the Trustees, and are often invited to offer members a talk about their research. You make this happen!

Members in the Liverpool area will benefit from the information we recently circulated about the 150th anniversary of the Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation. I am also happy to inform you that JHSE is discussing the recreation of a Manchester branch, whose activities will be fostered in collaboration with the Manchester Jewish Museum. I shall inform you as these exciting events develop: Trustees Gavin Schaffer and member of Advisory Board Dean Irwin are leading this initiative. Anyone in the Manchester area who wishes to contribute is most welcome. Just contact me.

Wishing you all the best and looking forward to seeing many of you at the autumn events.

Your President, Miri Rubin