Welcoming 2024....

Dear members,

Last week the House of Commons discussed the wisdom of creating a Jewish History Month. The possibility was raised by MP Nickie Aiken (C - Westminster and City), and the expertise of Dame Maureen Lipman among others was sought for this initial discussion. I wrote to Ms Aiken to offer the JHSE's expertise and experience if such a project goes forward and received a short gracious reply.

We begin the year with an interesting array of events:

• This week, on 18 January 2024, 8pm, we will hear Luke Devine speak about Amy Levy and her literature https://www.jhse.org/event-details/amy-levy-and-the-jewish-literary-complex-with-dr-luke-devine

• Then on 23 January 2024, at 7.30pm, Dr Kate Marrison from the University of Sussex will speak about the Sussex Digital Holocaust Education Project. https://www.jhse.org/event-details/the-sussex-digital-holocaust-education-project

• On 25 January 2024, at 8pm, we benefit from having Professor Julie Kelman in the UK (it would have been difficult to find a suitable time when she is in her native Melbourne). She will speak about her recent book: The Assassination of the King of Algiers': Trading Jews and the Napoleonic Mediterranean https://www.jhse.org/event-details/the-assassination-of-the-king-of-algiers-trading-jews-and-the-napoleonic-mediterranean

I am sure that this year the Holocaust Memorial Day will be observed with special poignancy. We will each try and find a way to mark it. Our Essex Branch has organised a free event open to all, at the Loughton Library, and the information is here: https://www.jhse.org/event-details/holocaust-memorial-address-at-loughton

Julia Pascal wrote to inform us about the play, Theresa, which will be performed by a great cast - the Julia Pascal Theatre - for Holocaust Memorial Day, on 28 January 2024. This is a semi-staged reading with live music of the drama about the fate of Jews in the Channel Islands during World War Two in a beautiful concert- room setting at Burgh House, Hampstead.

https://www.pascal-theatre.com/project/theresa-holocaust-memorial-day-2024

Our very active Essex branch has also organised a hybrid event for 30 January 2024, about early Zionism in Britain in the lead up to the Balfour Declaration. Find the details here: https://www.jhse.org/event-details/british-jewish-attitudes-to-zionism-before-the-balfour-declaration

We who are interested in Jewish history learn not only from books. I, for one, found the new film about the life of Sir Nicholas Winton, entitled One Life, moving and informative, although I already knew a great deal about the Kindertransport.

I hope you will fill the winter nights with these excellent offerings and wish you all the best.

Your President, Miri