Short read: “splinter-sharp guides, gripping history”
Click here for a review of the walk in the Canadian Jewish News
Don’t want to read up about the walk? Have a listen. Here’s a wonderful “podcast” overview and introduction to the walk given by guide Shaughan. Lots of information about the walk brilliantly delivered (the human voice can be so nourishing). Want a recommendation? Download the podcast and listen to it on your way over to Tower Hill. It’s a perfect warm-up act for the walk.
Medium read about the guiding: “…the perfect blend – a font of knowledge, a diplomat and a comedian!!” That’s how one of Rachel’s walkers described her. Echoing another walker, who said: “This morning I had the great pleasure of being on Rachel’s Old Jewish Quarter walk. Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious. Her knowledge and joy in sharing it with us made the two hours very special. She is the perfect guide.” In short, don’t just take it from us.
Long read: Traces the history of London’s Jewish community in the East End. A tale that embraces the poverty of the pogrom refugees and the glittering success of the Rothschilds; the eloquence of Prime Minister Disraeli and the spiel of the Petticoat Lane stallholder; the poetry of Isaac Rosenberg and the poetry-in-motion of Abe Saperstein’s Harlem Globetrotters. Set amid the alleys and back streets of colourful Spitalfields and Whitechapel, it’s a tale of synagogues and sweatshops, Sephardim and soup kitchens. Whenever possible we visit the historic Bevis Marks synagogue (for which there’s a small entrance fee). It’s one of the highlights of the tour.
Guided by Shaughan, Steve, Rachel (the author of Jewish London, Secret Whitechapel and Whitechapel in 50 Buildings) or Isabelle.
THE OLD JEWISH QUARTER – THE PRACTICALS
In our Winter programme – which kicks in on November 1 and runs through April 30 – The Old Jewish Quarter takes place every Sunday at 10.15 am. The meeting point is just outside the exit of Tower Hill Tube. Meet your London Walks guide and fellow walkers by the Tower Hill Tram coffee stall. N.B. the Walk ends at Spitalfields Market, a short walk from Aldgate, Aldgate East and Liverpool Street stations.
Sharon and Andrea –
Thank you to Steve for a most fascinating talk and walk.Steve has a wealth of knowledge and stories and we absolutely loved it!
Christine Notley –
A very good trip as always and made all the more interesting by our guide David Gollancz. He made sure we could all hear him and even came back for a group of us when we lost him in Petticoat Lane.
Reva –
Russell was great. Very informative and interesting and friendly. Loved the history