Leeds Jewish History Project

Our mission

Leeds Jewish History Project (LJHP) celebrates the history of the Leeds Jewish Community. We are developing an archival resource to inspire future generations and encourage research into the history of the Jewish community of Leeds.

Our collections

Our team of experienced volunteers and professional archivists has created  an archive of paper documents and photographs, donated and loaned by individuals and organisations in the Leeds Jewish community. We have also created a collection of oral history recordings by interviewing Leeds Jewish people about their lives.

We are currently cataloguing the collections to make them publicly accessible online and at our office in Leeds.  This process will take some time. We thank you for your patience. You can view our catalogue in progress on The National Archive Discovery website by clicking the link here. You will see a description of catalogued items in our Cultural Life and Community Welfare collections.

If you would like to view paper documents from our collection you will need to search for them in our catalogue then ask a member of our team to book a date to view them during visiting hours. Public visiting hours begin in September, after the new year. Please use the contact form on this website to make an inquiry about this.

If you would like to listen to an oral history interview (typically around 60 minutes long) you can make a request to one of the team or sign up to the MILIM newsletter to receive news when full recordings are published on the forthcoming LJHP Oral History podcast. You can get a taste of the interviews by listening to the short clips below. Click on the play arrow and make sure the volume on your computer or phone is turned up.

Listen

Short audio clip: Leeds ballerina and dance teacher Gill Caplan talks about knowing she wanted to be a dancer at 3 years old. With thanks to Gill Caplan. Interview by Carol Gold. Recorded by Louisa Parker on 29/05/2024.

 

Short audio clip: Leeds bristle brush manufacturer Peter Brostoff explains how man-made fibres such as nylon and other innovations reduced the need for the family business. With thanks to Peter Brostoff. Interview by Carol Gold. Recorded by Louisa Parker on 04/11/2023.