Exhibition Home

In this exhibition you can discover some of our most treasured objects, and find out what they tell us about Jewish life in Britain from medieval to modern times. Find out more »

Featured Object

Medieval tally sticks

Working Lives and Trades, Regional communities

13th century

England

Tally sticks dating from the 13th century, used to indicate payment of taxes

From the first settlers from France in 1066, to more recent newcomers such as Israelis and South Africans, Jewish people have migrated to Britain for a variety of reasons and from a multitude of...

Migration and settlement

Our collections demonstrate the involvement of Jewish people in sport and entertainment, with material relating to 18th century champion boxers and Yiddish theatre, which was brought to London in the...

Sport and leisure

Jewish people played a significant role in the world wars, both on the battlefield and the home front. Our collections include uniforms, letters, medals and photographs. Our World War II collections...

Military service

From the medieval period to the present day, London has been home to the largest Jewish community in Britain. However, over the centuries communities have formed in towns and cities across the...

Regional communities

Charity and welfare are very important in Judaism. The museum’s collections illustrate that while an important part of charity is giving money, acts of kindness are equally important. A number of...

Charity and welfare

Around 150,000 Jewish immigrants settled in Britain from the late 19th century until the early 20th century, and the majority of these made their homes in London’s East End, setting up synagogues,...

London's East End

More objects

British Jewry Book of Honour

Friendly Society collar

Military sewing kit belonging to Myer Goldstein

Silver presentation box

Percy Levy's Book of Life

Last letter from Alec Silver

Medieval tally sticks

London Jewish Bakers’ Union banner

Thank you card

Russian Vapour Baths sign

Furrier's hand tools

Poster for The King of Lampedusa

The Jewish Museum

Jewish Britain

A History in 50 Objects

Medieval tally sticks

Themes

From the first settlers from France in 1066, to more recent newcomers such as Israelis and South Africans, Jewish people have migrated to Britain for a variety of reasons and from a multitude of...

Migration and settlement

Our collections demonstrate the involvement of Jewish people in sport and entertainment, with material relating to 18th century champion boxers and Yiddish theatre, which was brought to London in the...

Sport and leisure

Jewish people played a significant role in the world wars, both on the battlefield and the home front. Our collections include uniforms, letters, medals and photographs. Our World War II collections...

Military service

From the medieval period to the present day, London has been home to the largest Jewish community in Britain. However, over the centuries communities have formed in towns and cities across the...

Regional communities

Charity and welfare are very important in Judaism. The museum’s collections illustrate that while an important part of charity is giving money, acts of kindness are equally important. A number of...

Charity and welfare

Around 150,000 Jewish immigrants settled in Britain from the late 19th century until the early 20th century, and the majority of these made their homes in London’s East End, setting up synagogues,...

London's East End

More objects

British Jewry Book of Honour

Friendly Society collar

Military sewing kit belonging to Myer Goldstein

Silver presentation box

Percy Levy's Book of Life

Last letter from Alec Silver

Medieval tally sticks

London Jewish Bakers’ Union banner

Thank you card

Russian Vapour Baths sign

Furrier's hand tools

Poster for The King of Lampedusa