Spotlight: March - April 2002
The Black Jewish Forum History
Project
In 1998 the Black-Jewish Forum in conjunction with the Parkes Institute and
the University of Southampton initiated a major history project, which aimed
to look at the hidden history of Black-Jewish relations and the comparative
experiences of the communities in Britain. Dr Edie Friedman, who is the Director
of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality and a member of the Black-Jewish Forum,
directs this project. The project's researchers are Radhika Bynon and Dr Gemma
Romain and members of the advisory committee include Sam Walker of the Black
Cultural Archives (Archives and Museum of Black Heritage, Brixton), Bill Williams,
Professor Tony Kushner, and Dr Jo Reilly.
The project traces several stories
and historical subjects that have been ignored or not acknowledged in historiography
and historical memory. It examines the parallels in experiences between African-Caribbean,
Asian and Jewish communities. It explores their experiences and memories of
migration and settlement, identity and everyday life. In terms of interaction
this exhibition highlights the everyday contact of the groups in areas such
as the East End of London, Chapeltown in Leeds and North London, particularly
Stamford Hill. Additionally this exhibition analyses the political encounters
that have occurred between African-Caribbean, Asian and Jewish people in terms
of local grass roots politics, anti-racism and anti-fascism.
The final outcome of the project
will be a travelling exhibition including oral history and photographic sources.
The exhibition will visit libraries, town halls and museums throughout the country
during 2002. There will be an accompanying CD Rom and booklet. In conjunction
with the Black-Jewish Forum project Gemma Romain carried out a PhD at the Parkes
Institute for the Study of Jewish / non-Jewish Relations, University of Southampton,
entitled: Autobiographical acts, ethnic memory and history of African-Caribbean
and Jewish communities in twentieth century Britain.
For more details see http://www.soton.ac.uk/~history/pg/grabstract01.htm,
contact Dr Gemma Romain at glr@soton.ac.uk
or visit the Parkes website at http://www.soton.ac.uk/~parkes/.
Contact details:
Dr Gemma Romain
AHRB Parkes Centre for the
Study of Jewish / non-Jewish Relations
Department of History
University of Southampton
Southampton S017 1BJ
E-mail: glr@soton.ac.uk
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