Our collections represent the involvement of Jewish people in political life, from notable parliamentarians of the 19th century to more radical political activities, such as unionism, among the immigrants of the East End in the early 20th century. Others worked to improve the position of Jews in society, campaigning for equal rights in the 19th century and fighting antisemitism and fascism in the 1930s and 1940s. From the late 19th century, many British Jews were also involved in Zionist activity.
Carriage Doors Belonging to David Salomons
Carriage doors painted with the coat of arms of the family of Sir David Salomons, a major figure in the 19th century campaign to secure equal rights for Jews in public life.
Danger, Fascists at Work
Pamphlet produced in the late 1940s by the 43 Group.
Photograph Album Belonging to the Solomons Family
Photograph album belonging to the Solomons family during 1930s. The father, Maurice Solomons, was a Romanian immigrant who came to England in 1900.
Disraeli Commemorative Plate
Plate produced in Staffordshire around 1876. It is decorated with a picture of Benjamin Disraeli and primroses, Disraeli’s favourite flower.
Zangwill Plate
Decorative plate presented to the prominent writer and political activist Israel Zangwill in 1915 by Morris Myer, editor of the Yiddish newspaper, Di Tsayt.
London Jewish Bakers’ Union
Painted silk banner c1925 belonged to the London Jewish Bakers’ Union, the longest lived Jewish trade union, which operated from 1905 to 1970.
