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Jewish wit and wisdom at Bloomsbury Festival
Academic networks unite for cultural cabaret celebrating the richness and creativity of Jewish life
An eclectic line-up of Jewish musicians, performers, writers, academics and comedians will come together in London this week for a celebration of Jewish culture, creativity and ideas.
Sechel & Sensibility: An Evening of Jewish Wit, Wisdom and Wonder, is at Conway Hall on Thursday 29 October. The show brings together some of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Jewish cultural and intellectual life for an evening of music, comedy, theatre, performance and ideas.
The event is co-hosted by the Intra-Communal Professorial Group (ICPG), a network of Jewish academics and staff from universities across the UK, and the UCL Jewish Staff Network. The organisers say that it feels particularly important at the moment to celebrate Jewish life in all its richness.
Since October 7, Jewish academics and university staff have worked tirelessly to support Jewish colleagues and students, in the face of growing animosity on campus. The networks behind Sechel & Sensibility want to change the narrative, at least for one night, championing and celebrating the extraordinary intellectual, cultural and creative contributions of Jewish life in the UK.
Brad Blitz, Chair of the ICPG and Professor of International Politics & Policy at UCL says: “Universities are places of ideas, culture, creativity and debate, and Jewish academics have always played an important role in championing the extraordinary intellectual and cultural traditions that we Jews inherit and continue to create. Campus life has been extremely challenging for staff and students alike over the past three years. That is why we have chosen to celebrate our contribution in this way at the Bloomsbury Festival – an annual occasion known for its vibrancy, inclusivity and creativity.”
Described as a “cultural cabaret”, the evening – part of the acclaimed Bloomsbury Festival – will be compered by comedians Rachel Creeger and David Lewis, and features performances from klezmer musicians from Oi Va Voi, dancer/choreographer Rosie Kay, jazz musician Martin Speake, concert pianist Ian Pace with soprano Ilona Domnich, Dr Keith Kahn-Harris on the cultural legacy of Ozzy Osborne plus several other acts.
Bringing together everything from Yiddish culture and Jewish music to comedy, theatre, scholarship and technology, Sechel & Sensibility will explore the wit, curiosity, argument, imagination and sheer variety that have long characterised Jewish cultural life.
Josh Edelman, Professor in Drama and Contemporary Performance at Manchester School of Theatre, curating the show, says: “Jewish culture stretches back thousands of years. It is a culture of ideas and argument, music and literature, humour and storytelling, questioning and creativity. At a time when Jewish identity can too easily be reduced to the challenges facing the community, it feels particularly important to make space and find time to remember the joy of Jewish life and culture.
“This event is a chance for curious people to come together, discover new ideas, enjoy extraordinary performers, laugh, listen and experience Jewish culture at its most vibrant. We are so grateful to the many brilliant acts who have given their time and hearts to this show and we hope that the audience will come away feeling enlightened and uplifted.”
Sechel & Sensibility: An Evening of Jewish Wit, Wisdom & Wonder is at Conway Hall on 29 October. For tickets visit bloomsburyfestival.org.uk
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