The Jewish Representative Council and the Zionist Central Council will host journalist and blogger Lyn Julius, founder of Harif, the UK Association of Jews from the Middle East, in North Manchester on 2nd March. The discussion focuses on her book Uprooted, the culmination of 10 years studying the causes behind the Jewish diaspora from the Middle East, and explores what lessons we can learn from this mass exodus from countries they had been settled in for thousands of years.
Politics
Hugh Oldham Teatime Lecture: Ivan Lewis
Manchester-born Ivan Lewis was first elected to parliament in 1997 serving under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as a cabinet minister before resigning from the Labour Party in 2018 due to institutionalised antisemitism. In his talk at Manchester Grammar School on 19th March entitled Politics Today, he will explore the ongoing row over antisemitism and the significance of being the first person in history to speak in parliament wearing a skullcap.
Jewish Theatre
Musical Showstoppers Through the Decades
From 23rd to 26th March, The Jewish Theatre Company (JTC) celebrates its 45th anniversary at The Academy Theatre, with a greatest hits performance of Musical Showstoppers Through the Decades. The show features a selection of over 30 timeless musical numbers picked from six favourite JTC shows, including iconic songs from My Fair Lady, Sweet Charity, Oliver!, Annie, Little Shop of Horrors and Fiddler on the Roof, with proceeds donated to Jewish Action for Mental Health and Northern Air Hospital Radio.
World Events
Johnny Taylor and Sami Hussein on the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Join Manchester Maccabi Supper Club for a three-course meal and lively debate on 11th March, as it welcomes Sami Hussein and Johnny Taylor to share their views on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Iraqi-born Muslim Sami Hussein describes himself as a “defected terrorist and defected politician”, while Jonathan Taylor is an experienced lecturer on Israeli cultural affairs and the history of the UK Jewish community. The pair will explore both sides of the conflict in an effort to promote peace through knowledge.
Festival
Jewish Festival of Belonging
Join Manchester Jewish Museum from 7th to 14th March at its pop-up space in Manchester Central Library for artistic explorations of cultural assimilation. Its Jewish Festival of Belonging uses comedy, theatre, music, storytelling, food and visual art to link stories from Manchester’s Jewish settlers with contemporary issues of migration, with events ranging from unique foodie film experiences, where stories are sifted into Jewish dishes, to politically-charged musical tales of growing up in the turmoil of 1980s Israel.
Musical
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
The smash-hit production comes to The Lowry, featuring West End star Layton Williams and EastEnders’ Shane Richie reprising their roles from its critically acclaimed West End run. Jamie New lives on a council estate in Sheffield – but doesn’t quite fit in and is terrified about the future. With the help of friends and family, the 16 year-old overcomes prejudice to beat the bullies and step into the spotlight as a drag queen. With an original score of pop tunes by the lead singer of The Feeling, this is a feel-good musical you won’t stop talking about for weeks to come.