The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Women's Annual Bazaar for Israel, Shavuot; Birthday Party; Laying the Foundation Stone of the New Gosforth and Kenton Synagogue 1954
A fascinating 1950s home movie compilation focuses on some of the official charitable events in Newcastle run by Jewish organisations a link with the new State of Israel.
From the collection of:
Overview
The foundation stone for the new Gosforth and Kenton Synagogue is laid by business man Lionel Jacobson who headed the menswear empires of Jackson the Tailor and Burtons, and was once dubbed a very modern tycoon. An insight into the vibrant Jewish community in Newcastle, this home movie features some important events in the Jewish calendar of the 1950s, including a bazaar for Shavuot organised by the local WIZO (Women's International Zionist Organization).
Shavuot is a Jewish holiday, known as the Feast of Weeks in English, which occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (late May or early June). The poster advertising screenings of the film of Queen Elizabeths Coronation at the Bazaar Cinema suggests this amateur footage, by a local filmmaker active in Newcastles Jewish community, was shot in 1954. Ruth Jacobson (wife of Lionel) was a vice president of WIZO UK until retiring in 2005 after receiving a Woman of Valour award. Lionel Jacobson was the earliest President of the Newcastle Jewish Representative Council and the son of a Lithuanian immigrant who founded Jackson the Tailor in 1906.
Related
Watch for free
Simcha Simcha
Documentary 2000 12 mins
Extremely rare insight in the role of a Hasidic woman, featuring a mother-daughter team who live in North London.
Watch for free
Some of My Best Friends Some of My Best Friends
Documentary 1969 30 mins Location: Westminster
Jewish people - and a few Gentiles - muse on what it means to be Jewish in 1960s Britain
Watch for free
Chief Rabbi's Emergency Council Chief Rabbi's Emergency Council
1947 19 mins Silent
Poignant postwar appeal for Britain’s Jewry to support orphaned Jewish children rescued from Europe
Watch for free
Jewish Pensioners' Controversial Pools Win Jewish Pensioners' Controversial Pools Win
News 1975 5 mins Location: Southend-on-Sea
All good pals and jolly good company! A syndicate of Jewish pensioners from Southend celebrate their big win on the football pools.
Watch for free
Just One Kid Just One Kid
Factual TV 1974 54 mins Silent
A Jewish Eastender recalls growing up in poverty in the 1930s and being part of a community now long gone
Watch for free
Mr. Emmanuel Mr. Emmanuel
Drama 1944 97 mins
An elderly Jewish man journeys to Nazi Germany to track down a refugee’s mother in this extraordinary drama
Watch for free
Anglia Reports - Rural Life Anglia Reports - Rural Life
Factual TV 1981 22 mins Location: Kenton
Villages are not just picture postcards – they are real communities with real issues. TV report on the DIY community action in East Anglia.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.