A Social History of the Jewish East End in London, 1914 - 1939: A Study of Life, Labour and Liturgy

The first detailed and comprehensive study of the classic period of London's Jewish East End. Describes the circumstances of its formation, its geographical and social boundaries, and such organizations as the remarkable Jewish trade unions, the myriad of friendly societies, burial societies, charities, schools, and various religious and political groups. It analyses the economic basis of the community, its doctrinal and liturgical aspects, festivals, entertainments, housing and food, shops and businesses. Discusses in some depth the external factors: anti-Semitism, Socialism and Zionism. Finally, it places in perspective its effects on the major political and cultural aspects of the history of world Jewry and Britain.