Jewish East End of London (original) (raw)
Just because Blooms has left the East End it does not mean that all Jewish life has ceased in the area. It is thought that there are probably about 3000 Jews still living in the East End. That is "the Near East" and not "the Far East" of Forest Gate or Redbridge. The Stepney Jewish Day Centre has about 700 people pass through its doors each week.
There are also Jewish food shops in the area, like Carmel Wines on Mile End Road, which is strictly Kasher. There are also some which do not come under a Beth Din like Rinkoffs the Bakers in O'Leary Square, which have excellent Challahs, and also two Bagel Bakes at the top end of Brick Lane where you can get filled bagels, very reasonably priced.
A visitor to the East End can see many reminders of the time when there were more Jews there. Many of the old Synagogue buildings are still standing, but they are now being used for other purposes.
AIR RAID VICTIMS
In the 1950s during the rebuilding after World War 2, Stepney council decided to name the new buildings after victims of the bombing. They selected the names by drawing them out of a hat. As the borough had a large Jewish population, several of the names chosen were Jewish. They included:
- Ansell House. In memory of Frederick and Lucy Ansell of 49 Wilkes Street, killed May 10th 1941.
- Barbanel House. For David and Bertha Barbanel and daughters Kate (19) and Muriel (13) of 426 Commercial Road, killed March 25th, 1945.
- Erlich Cottages. For David and Lotte Ehrlich of 185 Stepney Way, killed Sept 10th, 1941.
- Jarman House. For Joseph and Sophia Jarman and children Helena (12) and Joseph (9) of Peabody Buildings. Killed September 18th, 1940.
- Wingrad House. For Bessie Wingrad and children Morris (16) and Estelle (8), the family of David Wingrad of Hughes Mansions. Killed March 27, 1945. (Morris was a member of Brady Club.)
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| Bethnal GreenUnderground Station |
During the bombing in 1943, it was decided to place a of rocket-firing anti-aircraft battery in Victoria Park. The local population were not informed of this new weapon. So on the first night that the battery went into action, the unexpectedly loud noise caused the people going to the shelter in the local underground to think that a new weapon was being used against them. In the panic to get out of danger they rushed down the stairs, someone tripped and 173 people were crushed to death. Many of the victims were Jewish. This plaque has been placed on the Eastern entrance to Bethnal Green underground station, at the junction of Cambridge Heath Road and Roman Road.
These notes are probably not complete lists of interesting Jewish sites or sights.
During the summer months there are a number conducted walks looking at the Jewish East End. The series of booklets by Aumie Shapiro are recommended for reading.