Original Jewish London: Hiding in the City’s Square Mile

Come across several churches and roads within the City of London featuring the word ‘Jewry’ in their names and hear the enthralling reason why they were so named; tread the very side streets and narrow alleyways where a thousand years ago London’s Medieval Jewish community lived and endured a precarious existence before their eventual expulsion from England; and while standing on the very spot where the 1666 Great Fire of London started you will learn how the Jewish Quarter escaped the devastation despite it destroying 80% of the City.

Meet fascinating characters from the past and present including one Jewish Prime Minister of England who faced cruel antisemitism throughout his life; also several leaders in the worlds of finance, retail shopping and communication, all of whom came from the humblest of beginnings; the Jewish banker instrumental in Britain’s victory against Napolean; the renowned 17th century non-Jewish writer and diarist shocked at his experience in a synagogue.  

Meet also the billionaire entrepreneur who wanted to become the first trillionaire and not only the Prime Minister of Israel but also the President of the World; and find out why a Jewish Lord Mayor of London was physically ousted from Parliament. Stephen will even reveal why Britain’s first serial murderer was responsible for antisemitic riots in London.

As we saunter casually along main thoroughfares and through quaint alleyways in the City of London, you will see the homes and workplaces of outstanding Jewish personalities who made their mark in this country; also get a bird’s eye view of the tallest building in Britain; and we’ll identify the site of a synagogue whose founder was excommunicated by the Jewish leadership, simply for building it.  

There are even more interesting sites to see and stories to hear on this exceptional tour.