List of [Jewish] Refugees in Sheffield, 1939 Sheffield City Archives: JCA/3/1/1, page 58 This plain sheet of paper may look everyday but it is actually from one of the most poignant items in the collections of Sheffield City Archives and Local Studies Library. The item is a file of papers, dating from 1939, all just like this one, that detail, in just a few lines, the immigrants who fled the Nazi invasion of Europe. It simply records their names, countries of origin, former and current jobs and where they are hoping to emigrate to eventually. It also shows the address they are staying at in Sheffield and the person who has taken them in, mostly people from the city’s Jewish community. The index was put together by David Brown and Ena Glass, possibly as part of their work for the Sheffield Jewish Aid Committee. Some of the entries have been annotated in pencil with changes to emigration status, marital status, and change of address. Sheffield City Archives: JCA/3/1/1, page 58 This entry is for Viktoria Ohrenstein, a single woman from Vienna who had been a lawyer and was now working as a companion and home help. She hoped to go to Australia but there is no record of whether she did or not. The entire index is available to browse online here Sheffield City Archives and Local Studies Library Local HistoryPartially online The Sheffield City Archives and Local Studies Library is a local authority archive open to the public that holds records and reports […] 19 Jul 2024 Collection Encounter: Jewish Life in Sheffield Collection Encounter: Records of Jewish Life in Sheffield, 1849-1976
Zum Chanukafest pamphlet, 1914 Zum Chanukafest pamphlet • Leo Baeck College Library The Leo Baeck Library Pamphlet Collection includes over 6,500 pamphlets published in the last 150 years showing the vibrancy of Jewish history and ideas. This pamphlet begins “For Chanukah 1914 – A greeting to the Jewish soldiers of the German Army from the Union of German Jews”. It includes psalms, poetry, plays, Torah and rabbinical encouragement to inspire the World War I soldiers receiving it with the deeds of the Maccabees. Zum Chanukafest pamphlet • Leo Baeck College Library It also features a remarkable “Dialogue Between the Chanukah Light and the Christmas Light” by Rabbi Dr Georg Wilde, Chaplain to the Supreme Command of the Fourth Army. Wilde would later be a refugee from Nazi Germany to England but his message of hope expressed through the lights of different traditions shining towards each other, so moving in the context of the Great War, still resonates over 100 years later. You can see the entire pamphlet online here: https://lbc.ac.uk/library-resources/collections/pamphlet-collection/ Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain Leo Baeck College Library Communal Records | Cultural | Jewish Life | ReligionPartially online Leo Baeck College Library, part of Leo Baeck College, contains 60,000 volumes exploring Jewish civilisation. The great texts of Jewish tradition are supported […]
Bomberg Talmud, c.1526-1548 Bomberg Talmud [Sion Arc Quarto A70.1/T14] • Lambeth Palace Library This Babylonian Talmud was printed in Venice, c.1526-1548. It was purchased for Sion College Library by the parishioners of St John the Evangelist, London, in 1629 and is now part of the Lambeth Palace Library collections. The Babylonian Talmud is a central text of rabbinic Judaism, encompassing Jewish law, customs, history, and folklore. Printed by Daniel Bomberg in Venice, this book is one of the greatest achievements in the history of Hebrew printing and served as a model for all subsequent editions. Although the first edition was printed at the request of Pope Leo X in 1519, Hebrew literature was being burned by the 1550s. Surviving copies are very rare. Bomberg Talmud [Sion Arc Quarto A70.1/T14] • Lambeth Palace Library The Sion Talmud was given to Sion College in 1629 by the church of St John the Evangelist, Watling Street and the initials of the church, ‘SIEW’, are stamped in gilt on the covers of each of the twelve volumes. George Walker, incumbent of the parish, raised the substantial purchase price of £26 from eighteen of his parishioners, whose names are inscribed in the first volume. Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain Lambeth Palace Library Family History | Historical Documents | Holocaust | Interfaith relations | Local History | ReligionPartially online Lambeth Palace Library is the historic library of the Archbishops of Canterbury. The vision of Lambeth Palace Library is to collect, […]
London Docks identity card London Docks Identity Card • Tower Hamlets This London Docks identity card from Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives is part of the personal collections that tell the stories of families in the area. This particular family archive belongs to the Rosenbergs of St George in the East of the district and was given to the organisation in 1988. Head of the family was Israel Rosenberg. Previously known as Israel Eickman/Eichman the collection includes this identity card which was issued under the Aliens Restriction (Consolidation) Order, 1916. These cards were issued to immigrants from the outbreak of World War 1. Israel would have had to report to the Metropolitan Police and the archive also includes his identity card that contains the stamps from the police. His occupation was listed as ‘Boot maker for Cohen and Company of Hanbury Street’ and there’s even his thumbprint. He is described as of Russian nationality and unable to write his name. Heritage Officer (Archives) Annette Mackin says, “We are still actively collecting, and this is the kind of material we really want to encourage people to donate to us. We really want to impress upon people that we really want everything about that family or that person, all the bits of ephemera, photos, and documentation to continue to build our collections. We are really keen to meet people and build connections to deposit with us and continue to capture the presence of the Jewish East End.” Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives Commercial | Communal Records | Local HistoryPartially online Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives is a local government archive in East London. It holds the records of a large […] 29 Jan 2024 Collection Encounter: Tower Hamlets Treasures Collection Encounter: Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives
C18 English Machzor This eighteenth century English Machzor is from the John Rylands library and is part of a collection bequeathed by Rabbi Doctor Moses Gaster. A Machzor is a text that normally contains Hebrew prayers and liturgical poems both for everyday use and for special occasions. What makes this Machzor so unique is that the entire text has been translated into English and features no Hebrew at all. Prayers for ‘Hanucah’ [Hannukah] • The John Rylands The manuscript was researched by scholar Aaron Sterk, who believes that the English translation is based on a very early Spanish translation. He believes, due to errors and elisions in the text, that it may have been made by a non-Jewish scribe for a converted female user who could not read Hebrew. The handwriting and layout indicate that the manuscript dates from about 1750. Errors include the misspelling of various Hebrew words like Hannukkah, which you can see in the image. Read about our in-person encounter with the Machzor here. See more images from the Machzor here. Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain Jewish and Hebrew Collections at the John Rylands Library and Manchester University Library Cultural | Jewish Life | ReligionPartially online The Jewish and Hebrew Collections at the John Rylands Library and Manchester University Library are specialist collections held by Manchester University which […] 31 Oct 2023 Collection Encounter: The Megillah at the Rylands Collection Encounter: The restoration of The John Rylands Megillah 11 Jan 2024 Collection Encounter: The Bible Room at Rylands Collection Encounter: Treasures from the Bible Room at the John Rylands
Menasseh Ben Israel’s petition to Oliver Cromwell Menasseh ben Israel’s petition to Oliver Cromwell 1656 • The National Archives This document, from The National Archives, is a petition to Oliver Cromwell from Rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel, a distinguished Amsterdam scholar who came to England from Amsterdam in 1655 to petition Cromwell to readmit Jews to the country & allow them to worship. One of the signatories, merchant Antonio Fernandez Carvajal, was the first Jew to be granted British citizenship, by Cromwell in 1655. Originally from Portugal, Carvajal’s extensive West Indies trade let him serve as grain contractor for Parliamentary forces during the Civil War. In 1656 Cromwell allowed Jews permission “to meet privately in their houses for prayer” & to lease a cemetery. In 1657, about 30 Sephardi families including Carvajal founded a synagogue in Creechurch Lane, London. Rembrandt sketch of Menasseh Ben Israel • Jewish Museum London Menasseh ben Israel’s petition to Oliver Cromwell 1656 • The National Archives Here is Ben Israel’s statement about his petition, dated April 10, 1656: “The communication and correspondence I have held for some years since, with some eminent persons of England, was the first originall of my undertaking this design. For I alwayes found by them, a great probability of obtaining what I now request, whilst they affirmed that at this time the minds of men stood very well affected towards us, and that our entrance into this Island would be very acceptable and well pleasing unto them. And from this beginning sprang up in me a semblable affection, and desire of obtaining this purpose. For, for seven yeares on this behalf, I have endeavoured and sollicited it, by letters and other means, without any intervall. For I conceived that our universall dispersion was a necessary circumstance, to be fulfilled before all that shall be accomplished which the Lord hath promised to the people of the Jewes, concerning their restauration, and their returning again into their own land, according to those words, Dan. 12,7: When we shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. As also, that this our scattering, by little, and little, should be amongst all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other, as it is written Deut. 28,64: I conceived that by the end of the earth might be understood this Island. And I knew not, but that the Lord who often works by naturall meanes, might have design’d and made choice of me for the bringing about this work. With these proposals therefore, I applyed my self, in all zealous affection to the English Nation, congratulating their glorious liberty which at this day they enjoy; together with their prosperous peace. xviiAnd I entituled my book named The Hope of Israel, to the first Parliament, and the Council of State. And withall declared my intentions. In order to which they sent me a very favorable passe-port. Afterwards I directed my self to the second, and they also sent me another. But at that juncture of time my coming was not presently performed, for that my kindred and friends, considering the checquered, and interwoven vicissitudes, and turns of things here below, embracing me, with pressing importunity, earnestly requested me not to part from them, and would not give over, till their love constrained me to promise, that I would yet awhile stay with them. But notwithstanding all this, I could not be at quiet in my mind (I know not but that it might be through some particular divine providence) till I had anew made my humble addresses to his Highnesse the Lord Protector (whom God preserve), and finding that my coming over would not be altogether unwelcome to him, with those great hopes which I conceived, I joyfully took my leave of my house, my friends, my kindred, all my advantages there, and the country wherein I have lived all my lifetime, under the benign protection, and favour of the Lords, the States Generall, and Magistrates of Amsterdam; in fine (I say) I parted with them all, and took my voyage for England. Where, after my arrivall, being very courteously received, and treated with much respect, I presented to his most Serene Highnesse a petition, and some desires, which for the most part, were written to me by my brethren the Jewes, from severall parts of Europe, as your worship may better understand by former relations. Whereupon it pleased His Highnesse to convene an Assembly at Whitehall, of Divines, Lawyers, and Merchants, of different persuasions, and opinions. Whereby men’s judgements, and sentences were different. Insomuch, that as yet, we have had no finall determination from his most Serene Highnesse. Wherefore those few Jewes that were here, despairing of our expected successe, departed hence. And others who desired to come hither, have quitted their hopes, and betaken themselves some to Italy, some to Geneva, where that Commonwealth hath at this time, most freely granted them many, and great privileges.” Read more here. Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain The National Archives Commercial | Family History | Historical Documents | Holocaust | ImmigrationPartially online The National Archives are the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, located in Kew, South West London. They hold documents […] Jewish Museum London Cultural | Religion | SocialOnly online The Jewish Museum London is a public museum, with an archive collection of historic Jewish cultural, social and religious items. Archive Description […] Open Letter Against the Mistreatment of Jews in Europe British voices ask for action in The Daily Worker & The Times • The National Archives
8th Century Judaeo-Persian letter from Kaifeng, Henan province, China This document fragment, from the British Library, and part of the International Dunhuang Project, is one of the oldest items of Jewish history in Britain. It was discovered by Sir Aurel Stein at Dandan-Uiliq in 1901. A group of his workmen were indulging in some independent ‘treasure-seeking’ after the completion of formal excavations at Dandan-Uiliq, the site of a former Buddhist monastery and Imperial garrison located to the northeast of Khotan between the Khotan and Keriya rivers in what is now the autonomous region of Xinjiang in China. While searching the debris left in the sand outside the broken east wall of an ancient dwelling-house, they came across a document which Stein described: as it then presented itself, was a lump of thin brownish paper, so closely crumpled up that in the absence of proper appliances I found it quite impossible to attempt its opening and unfolding. Only where one edge of the paper could be partially loosened was I able to make out some characters which manifestly looked like cursive Hebrew. The document was provisionally dated to the end of the eighth century when the site was abandoned, and this dating was confirmed by an analysis of the paper by Professor J. Wiesner which found that the structure was indistinguishable from the paper of Chinese documents found at Dandan Uiliq, dating from between 781 and 790. The letter proved to be written in Judaeo-Persian, i.e. Persian written in Hebrew script. However since the beginning and end of each line was missing, there was only a limited amount of contextual information to be deduced (for an edition and translation see Utas, 1968 below). Mention of sheep trading and cloth indicates the document’s commercial nature and a reference to the author having written “more than 20 letters[1]” attests perhaps to a thriving trade. There is also an intriguing request for a harp required for instructing a girl how to play. Text adapted from this post by Ursula Sims-Williams. Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain British Library’s Hebrew collection Cultural | Historical DocumentsPartially online The British Library’s Hebrew collection is held within the British Library, Britain’s national library. It is open to researchers and contains a […]
The Four Per Cent Industrial Dwellings Company Prospectus The following text comes from thehistoryoflondon.co.uk. Jews are townspeople, not farmers, and rarely lived in the countryside. In whichever towns the settled they clustered together, for self-protection, for reasons of language and culture, and to be within walking-distance of a synagogue. In the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century London’s main Jewish Quarter was in the Whitechapel, Spitalfields, and Mile End Old Town districts, and the parish of St. George-in-the-East. They were areas that had previously been settled by earlier Huguenot and German immigrants. The former people had largely assimilated and moved elsewhere but the less affluent German community remained in Whitechapel and St. George’s until the First World War. Towards the end of the 19th century 90% of the capital’s Jews lived in East London and 40% of the population of the Borough of Stepney were Jewish. The East End took on an exotic character: streets filled with people speaking Yiddish, Lettish (from Latvia) or German; men dressed in black jupizes (long coats) and with side-curls; Germanic names and Hebrew lettering over the shopfronts; kosher butchers; Jewish booksellers; and Jewish music-halls. The East End area of two square miles was one of the most densely populated in the whole of England. Throughout the second half of the 19th century railway companies ran lines through East London, razing many homes along the way. Residents simply moved a few streets away, creating increased overcrowding as the number of houses decreased and the population grew with new arrivals. There were some streets of fine houses, albeit run-down, as well as mean slums, small, stinking alleyways and narrow courtyards. As with London’s other rookeries, water supply and sanitary conditions were often poor, which only began to improve when a new water authority was created after 1903. Refuse was often left to rot. Conditions inside many homes were bad, with leaking ceilings, damp walls, and foul water closets. In 1884 The Lancet published a report that galvanised the Jewish Board of Guardians into appointing an inspector of housing. Of those properties initially checked 93% were found to not have flushing toilets. Jews, tended to crowd more people into each dwelling, encouraging landlords, often themselves Jews, to charge higher rents than to Gentiles. The latter were then forced out of properties and whole streets became part of the Jewish ghetto. Many Jewish families took in lodgers, perhaps someone newly-arrived. Overcrowded homes were the norm, often with eight or nine people sharing two small rooms, and many doubled-up as workshops. Hence, much of home life was spent outside on the doorstep or in the street. From the 1870s London’s slums were gradually cleared to make way for social housing. In 1884 the United Synagogue reported on the state of East End housing. This resulted in two private social housing companies. The Four Per Cent Industrial Dwellings Company, providing a four percent return to investors, was founded and chaired by Nathan Rothschild. (It still exists as the Industrial Dwellings Society). Samuel Barnett of the St. Jude’s church at Whitechapel was the primary instigator of the East End Dwellings Company. Read more about the Prospectus in the Rothschild Archive. Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain The Rothschild Archive Commercial | CulturalNot online The Rothschild Archive, based in London, is a private archive holding the commercial records and personal papers of members of the Rothschild […] Letter in Judendeutsch Letter from Nathan Mayer Rothschild to his brothers, 1816 • The Rothschild Archive “Poll Book”, 1847 Lionel de Rothschild’s ‘Poll Book’ • The Rothschild Archive
Great Tailor’s Strike Balance Sheet This balance sheet of the great strike of East London tailors, 1889, comes from the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Balance sheet showing income and expenditures of the Great Strike of East London tailors, London, 1899, RG 116 England Territorial Collection, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research The TUC’s Union Online trade union history archive has this to say about the strike and document: London Tailors Strike 1889 was called against the sweated conditions of the Jewish immigrants working in small tailoring workshops in Whitechapel. The strike was called by the Amalgamated Society of Tailors and two smaller pressers’ and machinists’ unions. Their headquarters was the White Hart public house in Greenfield Street. The strike was linked to the other climactic events of 1888-89. Lewis Lyons, the chairman of the strike committee, was a member of the Social Democratic Federation and William Wess, the Secretary was a member of the Socialist League. As in the Dock Strike, daily street processions led by brass bands were organised and John Burns, Tom Mann and Ben Tillett spoke at their meetings. £100 was donated from the residue of the Dockers Strike Fund. Leaflets were printed in English and Yiddish and by September, 10,000 workers were on strike. Lord Rothschild and the local MP, Samuel acted as mediators with the employers and after 5 weeks, the strikers’ demands for a 10½ hour day and a limit on overtime were agreed. Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain
York Commodity Bond Commodity Bond ca 1285, U DDWB/23/4 • Hull History Centre / University Archives / Wickham-Boynton family This incredibly rare York document, from the Hull History Centre / Hull University Archives / Wickham-Boynton family, is a commodity bond produced following the implementation of the Statute of the Jewry (1275). The document is an acknowledgement of debt: John Sybry son of Alan Sybry of York to Bonamious son of Jocey, a Jew of York, c.1285. A sack of good wool or 10 marks, whichever Bonamious chooses, in return for a certain sum given by Bonamious to John Sybry. It was to be paid at Purification (2 February 1285/6). Sir John de Thweng, lord of Corneburg, stands surety. The document was witnessed by Gervase Clifton then sheriff of York, John Sampson. Seal, armorial, damaged. It includes a Hebrew endorsement on the dorse or reverse side of the parchment. Reverse of Commodity Bond ca 1285, DDWB/23/4 • Hull History Centre / Hull University Archives / Wickham-Boynton family The Statute of the Jewry (Statutum de Judaismo, 1275) was a statute issued by Edward I of England in 1275. It placed a number of restrictions on Jews of England, most notably outlawing the practice of usury. From Wikipedia: “Since the time of the Norman conquest, Jews had been filling a small but vital role in the English economy. Usury by Christians was banned by the Catholic Church at the time, but Jews were permitted to act as moneylenders and bankers. That position enabled some Jews to amass tremendous wealth, but also earned them the enmity of the English populace, which added to the increasing antisemitic sentiments of the time, due to widespread indebtedness and financial ruin among the gentile population. Edward I returned from the Crusades in 1274, two years after his accession as King of England, and found that land had become a commodity, and that many of his subjects had become dispossessed and were in danger of destitution. Jews traded land for money, and land was often mortgaged to Jewish moneylenders. In January 1275 Edward’s mother, the Queen Dowager Eleanor of Provence, expelled the Jews from all of her lands, a precursor to the Statute. As special direct subjects of the monarch, Jews could be taxed indiscriminately by the King. Some have described the situation as indirect usury: the monarch permitting and encouraging Jews to practise usury and then taxing the profit. In the years leading up to the Statute, Edward taxed them heavily to help finance his forthcoming military campaigns in Wales, which commenced in 1277. One theory holds that he had exhausted the financial resources of the Jewish community when the Statute was passed in 1275.“ Jewish moneylending continued nevertheless, as this document testifies. Fifteen years later, in 1290, Edward I issued the Edict of Expulsion and Jews were expelled from England. Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain Hull History Centre Communal Records | Historical Documents | Local HistoryNot online The Hull History Centre is a partnership between Hull City Council and the University of Hull. It is open to the public […] Victor Weisz’s Lamp Garden Cartoon Letter from political cartoonist ‘Vicky’ to his wife • Hull History Centre Menasseh Ben Israel’s petition to Oliver Cromwell 1655 petition for Jews to be allowed to set up places of worship
Mosse Mokke in league with the Devil A receipt roll for the heavy taxation (tallage) of Issac fil Jurnet in Norwich, 1233 • The National Archives This grotesque cartoon from The National Archives is a detail from a 1233 receipt roll from Norwich. It depicts Mosse Mokke in league with the Devil and leaves little doubt about how the Jews of Norwich were viewed at the time (E 401/1565). The receipt roll was for the heavy taxation (tallage) of Issac fil Jurnet in Norwich. Isaac is drawn as a three-faced devil at the top of the image. Another devil, named as Colbif touches Mosse Mokke, Isaac’s debt collector (in his identifying spiked hat), and Mosse’s wife Avegaye. All the Jews in the image were accused of charging excessive interest on loans. Mosse Mokke was executed for coin-clipping in 1240. Once William I invited Jewish merchants into England after 1066, they became collective property of the crown. King John confirmed much earlier liberties for the Jews in 1207. In return for such rights and protections, England’s rulers exploited the Jewish privilege to lend money at interest. Many early deeds suggest a largely productive business relationship between Jews and Christians. However, as the wealth of individual Jewish merchants grew, the crown targeted the entire community to fund warfare and to boost tax income. The wider population also followed this lead and agitated against the growing levels of debt owed to Jewish creditors. A deteriorating relationship between the two communities is suggested by the rise in reported anti-Semitic incidents from the 1230s onwards. Read more about Medieval Jewish history seen through the prism of the National Archive’s collection in this fascinating blog by Dr Sean Cunningham. Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain The National Archives Commercial | Family History | Historical Documents | Holocaust | ImmigrationPartially online The National Archives are the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, located in Kew, South West London. They hold documents […] ‘Aaron, Son of the Devil’ A doodle from the margin of a legal document, 1277 • The National Archives Menasseh Ben Israel’s petition to Oliver Cromwell 1655 petition for Jews to be allowed to set up places of worship
Open Letter Against the Mistreatment of Jews in Europe This open letter, from The National Archives, was published in The Daily Worker and The Times newspapers in February 1943. Signed by some of the best-known voices of the day, including E.M.Forster, Harold Nicolson, George Bernard Shaw, Beatrice Webb and Rebecca West, the letter reads: Britain Urged To Act Now and Save Jews The following letter appeared in the Times yesterday: – We have noted with satisfaction the Joint Declaration of the United Nations vigorously protesting against the Nazi outrages upon the Jewish people. We desire to associate ourselves with it. But we think that present action to mitigate this barbarism now is even more essential that the assurance of penalties after Hitler’s defeat for those who have shared in the perpetration of the outrages upon the Jews and other victims of Nazi Germany. We suggest that the nation is eager to see the British Government take the lead in attempting to rescue as many as possible of these, the most helpless of Hitler’s victims, as they were also the first; the generous temper in which Italian settlers in Abyssinia have been repatriated to Italy should be applied to the right of the Jews to protection. OBLIGATION In the circumstances, we suggest that it is incumbent on the British Government to take the initiative in the following measures: To make representations by the United Nations to the German Government to permit Jews to leave the occupied countries of Europe.To offer the joint protection of the United Nations to Jews liberated or escaping from the occupied territories.To facilitate the transfer of Jews to and their asylum in the territories and colonies of the United Nations.To urge on neutral countries the desirability of receiving as many Jewish refugees as possible until, with victory, it is possible to consider ways and means of their permanent settlement. Where food and finance raise difficult problems for neutral countries willing to assist, the United Nations should agree to make these available to them.To make available the fullest possible facilities for the immigration of Jewish refugees into Palestine.We suggest that, as a prelude to these large-scale measures, the British Government should offer immediately to admit to Great Britain the largest possible number of Jewish refugees, especially children. We see little difficulty, given good will, in taking all the necessary precautions which the national security demands. We do not deny either the magnitude or the complexity of the Jewish problem. But we do not feel that the Government and nation can stand helplessly by while a whole people is ruthlessly butchered. Verbal sympathy is not enough. We must be prepared, whatever the action of other people, to act with resolution and magnanimity. HISTORIC TRADITION That is an attitude rooted in our historic tradition. Never was it more necessary to prove that it is still a living faith among us. For if we do nothing while a helpless people is assassinated, we shall breed a temper of acquiescence in the barbarism of tyrants which may become one of the unhappiest legacies of this epoch of agony. – Yours faithfully, W.G.S Adams, Phyllis Bottome, A.M. Carr-Saunders, Wyndham Deedes, P.A.M. Dirac, E.M.Forster, G.P.Gooch, R.A.Gregory, Storm Jameson, F.G.Kenyon, A.D.Lindsay, Kingsley Martin, Frederick Maurice, Gilbert Murray, Harold G. Nicolson, John Boyd Orr, Margaret Rhondda, Sankey. George Bernard Shaw, R.H. Tawney, Beatrice Webb, Wedgwood, Rebecca West. Discover more Hidden Treasures Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain The National Archives Commercial | Family History | Historical Documents | Holocaust | ImmigrationPartially online The National Archives are the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, located in Kew, South West London. They hold documents […] Menasseh Ben Israel’s petition to Oliver Cromwell 1655 petition for Jews to be allowed to set up places of worship Mosse Mokke in league with the Devil A receipt roll for heavy Jewish taxation • The National Archives