A new podcast recalls the history, culture and influence of the Yiddish East End.
Nosh, schmooze, chutzpah... words that many of us still use today. They come from Yiddish, a Jewish language widely spoken in central and eastern Europe before the Holocaust, which blends elements of German, Hebrew and other languages.
Yiddish was also widely spoken in the East End of London. Towards the end of the 19th century, many Jews came to areas like Spitalfields and Bethnal Green to escape persecution in Europe. Here, Yiddish language and culture would thrive, and make a lasting impact on wider society.
New podcast Cockney Yiddish explores this rich history with a winning mix of exuberance and scholarship. One minute, we're listening to the importance of Yiddish activism in early 20th century labour and communist movements, the next we're singing along to a raucous music hall song. And then Miriam Margolyes turns up with a poignant short story.
Each episode explores a different aspect of Yiddish culture in the East End. The first looks at the language itself — where it comes from, how it evolved in the East End, and how it began to ebb away as second and third generation immigrants switched to English. The second takes a look at Jewish radicalism, protest marches and the Jewish contribution to the Battle of Cable Street. Future episodes will tackle Yiddish theatre, music hall and comedy, as well as the many issues faced by the immigrant population. One episode will be entirely in Yiddish.
Hosted by historians Professor Nadia Valman and Dr Vivi Lachs from Queen Mary University of London, the show also pulls in an impressive selection of guests, including the likes of Michael Rosen, Miriam Margolyes and David Schneider.
Yiddish culture was a relatively brief component in the East End, lasting from the 1880s to the 1950s, but waning rapidly after the Second World War. The Cockney Yiddish podcast celebrates its legacy with verve, wit, perception and even a little chutzpah. Listen in now, wherever you get your podcasts, or via the Cockney Yiddish website where you'll find lots of bonus material.
