Jewish leaders back proposal for Clifford’s Tower Memorial Garden

The Office of the Chief Rabbi and leaders of the Progressive Judaism movement have backed plans for a memorial peace garden at Clifford’s Tower in York, the site of  one of the worst antisemitic episodes in British history.

Consultations with York council about the area immediately surrounding the Tower, also known as the “Eye of York”,  have been ongoing since October 2019.

In November 2025, councillors approved a £10 million scheme to replace the 298-space Castle car park beside the historic tower with new parkland, walkways and a play area.

York Liberal Jewish Community has been a longstanding consultee of the scheme, coordinating and representing other Jewish voices and organisations throughout the process, working with English Heritage, York Interfaith Group, York Civic Trust and the University of York Centre for the study of Christianity & Culture.

Campaigners have long been adamant that the redevelopment reflect the site’s profound spiritual and emotional meaning for Jewish visitors, with sufficient, dedicated seating and space for educational groups and commemorations including Chanukah lightings.

Now, both the The Movement for Progressive Judaism and the Office of the Chief Rabbi, have expressed their strong support for that special space dedicated to the memories of those murdered more than eight centuries ago.

Writing on 4 March 2026, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the “deeply tragic history of Clifford’s Tower” and the “zealous violence by a non-Jewish mob against Jews taking refuge in the Tower in 1190” as “highly emblematic of
centuries of Jewish vulnerability and persecution at the hands of tyrannical rulers.”

Describing the massacre as an episode “permanently seared into the collective Jewish psyche”, he added it was “fitting that the City of York should enable clear and unequivocal recognition of the site and its poignance in Jewish history.

Chief Rabbi Mirvis described it as “both a particular Jewish tragedy, and deserves to be commemorated as such, while also providing crucial lessons to all of society, of the dangers of unchecked hatred and violence. This is why a fitting, and clearly delineated space will serve such an important educative and reflective purpose, for residents and visitors to York.”

On 16 March 1190, a series of antisemitic riots led to the deaths of the entire 150-strong medieval Jewish community of York. They had taken refuge in the castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1068, where Clifford’s Tower now stands.

Trapped, many killed themselves rather than be murdered or forcibly baptised.

Progressive movement co-leads Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy also expressed “strong support for the proposed revisions concerning how the events of 1190 at Clifford’s Tower are remembered and interpreted” and thanked York Council for “its willingness to revisit and strengthen its approach to tell and respect the history of the site following ongoing consultation and the concerns expressed.”

Describing Clifford’s Tower as “the site of one of the most devastating acts of anti-Jewish violence in medieval England”, they called the atrocity “not only a tragedy for the Jewish people, but a loss for York itself. The responsibility to now openly remember it with honesty and dignity belongs to the whole city and speaks directly to the values York upholds today.”

They said they welcomed “the reinstated intention to create a separate and distinct 1190 Memorial / Peace Garden close to the foot of Clifford’s Tower, with sufficient space and clarity of purpose to allow for meaningful reflection, gathering, and education. It is essential that this space is recognisably and unapologetically rooted in its Jewish significance, including enabling Jewish acts of remembrance and prayer.”

In 2024, York Liberal Jewish Community celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special interfaith civic service attended by dignitaries from across the region.

Dismissing original plans for a solitary bench facing away from the Tower, Lilian Coulson, YLJC engagement officer told Jewish News: “Things are positive. We’re thanking members for the fact that they’ve now instructed officers to put something of a suitable design and site and location back in the scheme and we look forward to seeing the revised scheme.”

Stressing the need for a “multi functional space for everyone”, she added: “It’s very important to the whole of the Jewish community and others to make sure the design is appropriate and includes this reflective space where we can all hold future events in the future. It would be wonderful if we could come out and say Kaddish in the Memorial Garden overlooking Clifford’s tower in future years.”

The expressions of support come as University of York academics have discovered that even after the events of 1190, York’s Jewish community, in co-operation with its Christian neighbours, was “closely involved” in the creation of a medieval Guildhall.

Dr Louise Hampson, the co-author of the new study, will be present at the annual commemoration of the massacre at Clifford’s Tower on Monday 16 March.