In the past month, something remarkable has happened. A pickle took a stroll down East London's Brick Lane. A medieval cheesecake was made to celebrate a festival. Jewish punks were making a scene. Across the country, from museums and galleries to concert halls and community spaces, thousands have come together to celebrate Jewish Culture at a scale and breadth never seen before – an ambitious showcase of the contribution Jews have made, and continue to make, to Britain's national story.
For much of the past year, Jewish communities across the diaspora have faced pain, anxiety and uncertainty. Yet this is the first time any Jewish community in the world has stepped forward to celebrate its culture in this way. Jewish suffering is often captured by the Yiddish word 'oy'. But in launching this festival, Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg called for less 'oy' and more joy, eloquently emphasizing that UK Jews refuse to be defined by tragedy. And what a month it has been.
By its close next Tuesday, more than 150 events will have taken place as part of this nationwide celebration of creativity, heritage and community, spanning Liverpool to London, Manchester to Margate. What has stood out is not just the scale, but the spirit. This has been a month powered by a distinctly British Jewish 'can do' energy.
Artists, volunteers, institutions and grassroots organisers have worked together to create something joyful, confident and outward-looking. Crucially, it has not been Jewish audiences alone who have embraced it. Across the country, people of all backgrounds have attended talks, joined tours and experienced Jewish culture first-hand.
The programme has been rich and varied, with a clear ambition to bring Jewish culture into the mainstream of British cultural life. Major institutions including the British Museum, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the British Library and the Southbank Centre all took part – a significant achievement. Alongside these national institutions, local venues brought events to communities across the country. This blend of national scale and grassroots involvement reflects a community confident in celebrating its traditions while inviting others to share and understand them.
Of course, no cultural festival would be complete without a touch of personality. In our case, that came in the unlikely form of Mr Pickle, a cheerful if slightly vinegary mascot who has popped up across social media and beyond. His growing fame and perhaps a touch of ego have added a lighthearted dimension. There was one challenging moment. A planned event at the British Museum had to be rearranged after a security concern. Across more than 100 events, it was the only one affected. The overwhelming story has been one of success, enthusiasm and openness.
At a time when Jewish life is too often viewed through the lens of tension and division, Jewish Culture Month has offered something different. It has shown a living culture that is creative, confident and playful. Most importantly, it has demonstrated that when people come together to celebrate and learn from one another, everyone benefits. That is something we can all take pride in.
Liat Rosenthal is Board of Deputies of British Jews Director of Culture, Education and Communities.
