Jewish East End Celebration Society
4A Cornwall Mews South, London, SW7 4RX
[email protected]
Sikh peddlers in the Jewish East End
The role of Jewish East Enders in working with early Sikh arrivals in the UK is set to form part of a new documentary film whose creators are seeking people who can talk to them from a Jewish perspective about the partnerships that developed.
Israel Cohen from Jubilee Street or nearby
I am 65 years old and my father, who died in 1967, was Jewish and grew up, I believe, near Jubilee Street in the East End. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to find out more about his family and my ancestors.
His name was Israel Cohen and too common a name to be helpful. I know he was from a large family and have looked at the census information to see if I can determine any likely family – no luck.
Anyway, when he married my mum, a Catholic, his family disowned him. I am telling you all this because I always think about my Jewish heritage and would like to know more. I believe someone he knew from the neighbourhood where he grew up went to the Dempsey Street school. I know this school has now been demolished. I can't be certain he went there.
Diane Mix.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Can you identify this photograph?
Whilst my family are not Jewish the attached picture was found in my husband’s family photograph archives. We have really no idea who the gentleman are but do believe they are dressed for a wedding.
My husband's family are from the East End in the early 1900s until quite recently. I just wondered whether you might have seen a photograph like this just to confirm it is possibly a Jewish family wedding as the suits are quite elaborate with button decoration. I know that the photograph was taken before 1907 as the studio it was taken in had moved out of the East End by then.
I apologise if you think this a random email but I am a very keen family historian and am desperate to identify the men in the photograph.
I am only guessing about this photograph but here are my thoughts .....
I agree that the men in question might be a groom and his best man. I know that the photographer moved from the address on the back of the photograph by 1907.
After this it is just speculation!
My husband’s non-Jewish family lived at 105 Chrisp Street for many years in the early 1900s. From the electoral roll I know a Hyman Lass also lived at this address. I know that Hyman married Fanny Goodman in 1906 which would fit with the date of the photograph. I know he had two children, Simme Leah and Jacob. I believe that he ran a ladies tailoring business from 105 Chrisp Street. I also believe he may have had a brother Julius (also a tailor). I know that his father was Malach Lass, who was a jeweller from Russia/Poland.
As a family we have no idea who the two men are but as it is such a lovely picture I thought it might be nice to try and trace the family.
Sorry if I have gone on too much and any help would be much appreciated.
Kind Regards
Jackie Hobbs
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Can you help identify Lottries?
My mother Jesse Wicks worked for a clothing manufacturer in Aldgate East during WW11. She always said she had worked for a company which she called 'Lottries'. This may or may not be the correct name or it may even be a nickname. She was a tailoress and spent her war years working there making uniforms and greatcoats for the armed forces.
World War One project seeks help
The organisers of this event are seeking information from Jews who have World War One connections. JW3, the Jewish community and cultural centre (which has absorbed the old London Jewish Cultural Centre) has been awarded a substantial lottery grant to establish a website dedicated to the role London Jews played in the First World War.
Jane Degras née Tabrisky
Do you have any information about the historian Jane Degras née Tabrisky to help John Plant, Reviews and Obituaries of Revolutionary History (revolutionaryhistory.co.uk)? She was born in the first quarter of 1905, registered central London, and died in the fourth quarter of 1973. John writes: There are east London connections – for example she attended ‘Gravel Lane School’, which I think was Raines. And there are records of Tabriskys around east London, including the death of Abraham, in Stepney, who I think was her father.
Going to the dogs
Do you have memories, or stories from your families, of going to the dogs or the races? Or what about popping down the pub in the days of the old East End? If so, JEECS member Isabelle Seddon would like to hear from you.
Fish and chips
Hi there,
I was hoping you might be able to help me. I am working on a brand new BBC show about the history of fast food in Britain from a celebratory point of view. I am looking specifically into Fish and Chips, and much of their roots seem to come from the East End of London, and specifically from the Jewish Community.
Do you know Mr Burns?
A US resident wonders whether a photograph on an East End blog might be of someone to whom she is related. The subject of the photograph, a Mr Ralph Burns, bears a striking resemblance to the writer’s grandfather, who went to the US as a child. She thinks they might be relatives. Can you help her contact Mr Burns?
This plea has been forwarded to us by The Gentle Author, that indefatigable writer about East End life past and present. The blog posting referred to is at http://spitalfieldslife.com/
Another East End photographer
I wonder if you can help me? I have a family couple wedding photo taken by L. Boressoff at the Art Studio Photographic company around 1910 /20 in the East End. Would anyone have any information about this studio?
Jill Ellis Williams
www.facebook.com/jill.williams.16100?fref=ufi
My great great grandfather Posimensky was a cabinet maker who helped found the Spitalfields Great Synagogue
Hello:
My name is Eliav. I am looking for information regarding my family who migrated to England in the end of the 19th century.
The family name is Posimensky. According to a diary that my great grandfather wrote, his father was one of the founders of the Machzike Hadath congregation (whose synagogue in Brick Lane, once a Huguenot chapel, was also known as Spitalfields Great Synagogue and is now a mosque).
Where is this?
Can anyone identify the location where this photograph was taken? It dates from the 1920s (?) and is of my father Sholem Shrensky (in shirt sleeves) and another person believed to be Mr. L Gensheroff , in the doorway of the latter’s premises somewhere in the East End. The fascia engraving reads: 9 LGENSHEROFF 9.
The Jewish Museum suggests No. 9 Brick Lane, but I do not think that is the correct address.
Any information about the picture, or about Gensheroff’s, would be gratefully received.
Yoel Sheridan, Israel.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Waldenberg family of Hogarth Houses
I am interested in finding any record of Abraham Waldenberg and his family, who lived at 7 Hogarth Houses, Batty Street, E1. Abraham died in 1936 aged 47.
Is there a list of names of attendance at synagogues in that community/?
Any assistance in helping or suggesting other sources to follow with my inquiries would be much appreciated.
Stephen Atkinson
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
My name is Marc Mendoza and my Father, Charles Daniel Mendoza (born 1925) grew up in the East End, went to Stepney Jewish School and, with his brothers Lewis (Lulu), Michael & Issy was well known in the area.
I would love to meet or speak with anyone that knew him or his family as I'm keen to find out more about his life in the East End. Email in first instance to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Looking for photos or information about Hogarth Houses
Batty Street E1, where my mother and grandparents lived around 1915-1918. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I'm a past East End Brady Club member and am in the process of compiling articles for a book to do with Brady days.
I am seeking reminiscences, fond and personal memories and any recollections to do with Brady such as your time as a Brady member, Skeet, Club holidays etc.etc., say from 1930s/1940s to about the 1960s
With many thanks, Barbara Stevens (nee Kaye)
Do any readers remember the Willie Stephanie/Stephany Dance Band before the last war?
My late father Barnett Shoffren played piano accordion with them, but I am unable to trace any information about the band. I would appreciate any memories or email copies of photos (but please do not part with original photos). Hoping someone can help me. Yours sincerely, Mrs Pamela Winborne (née Shoffren) Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.