UK Jewish Communities

The first mention of Jews in Britain is from 1070. In the late twelfth century, the Jews suffered from anti-Semitic restrictions, blood libels, riots, and massacres. An attempt to legalise Jewish presence in Britain was made in 1753 with the Jewish Naturalization Act, and in the nineteenth century Jews received equal rights. Due to the good conditions, the lack of violence towards Jews, and religious tolerance, in the nineteenth century Britain became a target for Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe. Learn more about the fifth largest Jewish community in the world through fascinating primary sources from the NLI’s collections.