Events

The First World War was the first conflict in which hundreds of thousands of Jews loyal to one European nation state found themselves in direct conflict with Jews holding a similar allegiance to another state.  Chaplains and religious leaders across Europe brought comfort, raised morale, and offered a religious perspective to world events: how belief in God can be reconciled with the unprecedented slaughter, the efficacy of prayer from opposing sides, magnanimity in victory and courage in defeat.

Now – 100 years after – rabbis, historians and theologians are gathering in London to consider Jewish responses to the Great War. You are invited to join them.

The conference has been funded through the generous support of the Ruth Ivor Foundation, Inc. of New York, named after one of the daughters of Rabbi Bruno Italiener, who served as a chaplain in the German Army during the war, came to London as a refugee in 1939, and served as Associate Minister of the West London Synagogue from 1941 – 1951.

Co-sponsored by Leo Baeck College, West London Synagogue, New North London Synagogue, Alyth Gardens, Belsize Square Synagogue, Jewish Historical Society of England, Liberal Judaism.

Programme and bookings at religionandwar.org