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 Leeds Jewish community.

Our collections

Alien Registration ID, Barnett Jacobson, 1917, stamped “Leeds City Police”

Identity card of a Moroccan Jewish teenager who came to England in 1960.

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 creating a catalogue to make our archive publicly accessible online and at our office in Leeds. This process will take some time. We thank you for your patience. You can view some of the new catalogue on The National Archive Discovery website by clicking the link here. You will see a description of paper documents in two of our collections: Cultural Life and Community Welfare.

If you would like to view any paper documents contained in the LJHP archive you will need to first search for them in our catalogue, making a note of the number, 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 a visit request.

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

Oral history interview: 49 minutes and 45 seconds. Listen to a full interview with Sue Baker MBE.

Sue served as a Magistrate chairman in the Adult crime court and as a Judge in the Family Court in West Yorkshire. She was also an adviser and supervisor at Leeds Citizens Advice where she volunteered for over 40 years. In 1995 Sue was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, and went on to become only the second Lady President in its history. During this time she also served on a number of other charitable committees within the Leeds Jewish community. She was awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to the community and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 2007. With thanks to Sue Baker. Interview by Carol Gold. Recorded by Louisa Parker on 21/10/2024.

Short audio clip: 37 seconds. 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: 1 minute 13 seconds. 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.