Post-War Jews

After World War Two, a sixth wave of Jewish immigration has seen Jews from Aden, Afghanistan, Burma, China, Egypt, Ethiopia,  India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen  and other countries, finding new homes in Britain. Many of these were fleeing antisemitic hatred, others came as refugees. It is estimated that 10% of British Jews are of Mizrahi (eastern) origin.

In more recent years, many Israeli, South African and French Jews have also made their homes in Britain.

The areas of Jewish settlement moved into the suburbs from the 1950s where they built communities, synagogues and schools.

Jewish refugees and immigrants have made a huge contribution to British life.

This photo, from the Sephardi Voices UK archive, shows Ivy Shoshua (pictured far right) with her family, who emigrated to the UK from Iran postwar.
Sephardi Voices UK interviewees speak about their experiences of being refugees fleeing antisemitism and persecution in the Middle East and North Africa.

TO FIND OUT

1. Research some Mizrahi Jewish traditions.

2. Which popular foods were brought to England by Jewish immigrants?

CRITICAL THINKING

Once immigrants/refugees are settled into a new country, is it important to remember their country of origin and its culture? Why?

CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1. What percentage of Jewish in the UK today are Mizrahi (of Eastern origin)?

2. Why did so many Jews want to leave the Middle East and North Africa?

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