JW3, a fantastic Jewish community centre in North West London, is currently celebrating its 13th anniversary: its Bar Mitzvah year! Turning 13 is no small milestone in Jewish life, so this week we, a group of admittedly nosy journalists, were invited behind the scenes to learn about its history, celebrate its many successes and chat about future programming over a cup of coffee.
It is hard to imagine that what is now an established hub for Jewish arts, culture, learning and family events was once a multistorey car showroom and ballet studio. Founded by philanthropist Dame Vivien Duffield DBE back in 2013, the project was inspired by her 2002 tour of America’s Jewish Community Centres. She felt that the UK could benefit from its own broad-ranging, flexible space for Jewish life, and so JW3 was born. Inside, you’ll find a 270-seat auditorium, a 60-seat boutique cinema, a community piazza, a dance studio, various classrooms and a spacious café/bar. It is impressively diverse, bringing everything together under one roof.
Since its founding, the venue has grown significantly in what it offers. The April August programme this year is completely packed. From language courses and reading groups to Krav Maga classes, author talks, comedy nights, family sessions, themed walks, plays, exhibitions, and concerts, there is no shortage of choice. I have my eye on quite a few, including ‘Ottoman-Jewish Masters: The Lost Sounds of Istanbul’; ‘Soho with a Jewish Twist’; and ‘Shake, Stir & Schmooze: Cocktail Making Course’.
JW3 is especially keen to expand its programme of youth events, many of which are aimed at people in their twenties and thirties. The coming season features a number of dedicated socials, such as a ‘Sapphic Shabbat’ to kick off London Pride, a spring craft café, and a summer BBQ on their annual beach pop-up. It’s definitely worth an outing, and if you’re a regular reader of A Young(ish) Perspective, you’re probably in the right age bracket!
Beyond its cultural events and classes, the centre is also active in the wider community. The JW3 Foodbank is the central food hub for the north of the borough of Camden, distributing thousands of meals to those in need. Staff were also keen to highlight the success of a recent interfaith event, where JW3 hosted a community Iftar in partnership with Nisa-Nashim and New Citizens’ Gateway, bringing Jewish and Muslim leaders together for an evening of celebration and cross-cultural exchange. They hope to host more events like this in the future, alongside additional inter-generational programming designed to build connections between the old and the young. Ambitious in its conception and impressive in its evolution, it is clear that JW3 has not lost the spirit of innovation in the last thirteen years. Mazel Tov! It is a truly wonderful space, so if you haven’t yet paid it a visit, now’s your chance. With so much going on, there really is something for everyone.
For more info, please visit https://www.jw3.org.uk