The Anglo-Jewish Exhibit, 1887
In 1887, the Anglo-Jewish Historical Exhibition was held in London’s Royal Albert Hall. The Observer newspaper ran a story on one of their reporters visiting the exhibit, and while the article begins with a curious tone replaced by a dismissive one mocking the only antiquities present at the exhibition as the elderly guests, the reporter is finally impressed brought to a different room and impressed by the objects he sees. The exhibit included objects related to the history of the Jews in England and objects connected to religious worship. The reporter lists seeing a vase for the washing of the dead, a shofar, ancient seals, charters, contracts, portraits of Jewish celebrities, Torah scrolls, and a model of the Temple of Jerusalem. The collection of embroidered curtains for the ark, however, was most impressive to the journalist. Most significantly, the reporter notes that such an exhibit would not have been possible in other European countries such as Russia and Prussia with their “pronounced judenheize.”[1] He adds, “The fact that such an exhibition is possible reflects the greatest credit both on the Jewish community and on the English people.” [2]
[1] OUR, SPECIAL REPORTER. 1887. THE ANGLO-JEWISH HISTORICAL EXHIBITION. The Observer (1791- 1900), Apr 03, 1887.
[2] Ibid.
