Jewish Music Institute

01/04/2026

From the JMI Archive:

The Barton Brothers, Irving Kaufman And His Musical Schmos - Yiddish-American Comedy.

Genre. Folk, World, Country Comedy, Klezmer.
Label. Rivoli Records
Format. Vinyl
US

Our Yiddish Culture Weekend is shaping up to be quite special. More news coming very soon!

30/03/2026

Meet Shirley Smart - the cellist at the heart of our new JMI Community Orchestra. A vibrant new ensemble for adult musicians passionate about
Jewish musical traditions and cross-cultural creativity.

An internationally recognised performer and educator, Shirley will lead this vibrant new ensemble through Middle Eastern, classical, klezmer and folk traditions, drawing out the stories behind each musical world.

Whether you’re returning to your instrument or looking to explore new musical roots, her leadership creates an inspiring and supportive space for community music-making.

Join us for monthly Thursday evening rehearsals (7–10:30pm) at JW3 Finchley Road.

Applications are now open - for more details, sign up via the link in comments.

13/03/2026

THIS SUNDAY!

JMI Youth Big Band joins forces with NYJO for an afternoon of big band energy, improvisation, and seriously talented young musicians, led by artistic director Sam Eastmond

JW3, London
3PM
Last tickets available, link in comments

Come hear what the next generation sounds like.

06/03/2026

I Youth Big Band x NYJO — Live at JW3 NEXT SUNDAY

Join us for an afternoon with the next generation of jazz musicians.

The JMI Youth Big Band — a dynamic ensemble of players aged 11–19, led by artistic director and bandleader Sam Eastmond — explores Jewish music through jazz, improvisation and new arrangements, bringing fresh perspective and energy to traditional melodies.

We’re delighted to be joined by the outstanding NYJO Under 18s for this special concert, bringing together two of the UK’s most exciting youth jazz ensembles. We hope you can join us!

JW3, London
Sunday 15 March
3:00–5:30pm

More details in the comments.

03/03/2026

UNDER ONE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY

Yiddish Culture Weekend 2026

We are inviting creative, thoughtful and exciting proposals for:

• Teaching & Workshops Day (SOAS) – Sunday 30 August

• Community-Led Events across the UK – 28–31 August
Concerts, talks, screenings, jam sessions and gatherings.

We look forward to hearing your ideas!

Deadline: Sunday 8 March, 11:59pm (UK time).

Apply via the link in comments.

16/02/2026

ANNOUNCING YIDDISH CULTURE WEEKEND 2026!

For more than twenty years, JMI’s Summer Schools have been a space for learning, music-making and community.

In 2026, we are pausing the Summer School in its current format in order to return in 2027 renewed for the years ahead.

In the interim, we’re shining a spotlight on you — our community.

This summer, we are launching Yiddish Culture Weekend (28–31 August 2026) — a community-led celebration of Yiddish language, song, music and cultural life in the UK.

The weekend will include:
• A full-day teaching programme at SOAS (Sunday 30 August)
• Seed-Funding for Community-led events across the weekend

An open call is now live for workshops, talks, masterclasses, concerts and other ideas.

Open Call deadline: Sunday 8 March, 11:59pm

Read more on our website and in today’s newsletter (links in the comments).

Let’s build something special together.

31/12/2025

As we close out the year, following Chaia’s sessions at Limmud Conference this past week, we invite you to begin the year with a Deep Listening Room with Chaia (NYC) on January 10th.

Chaia’s work moves between Yiddish archival sound, ambient electronics, and ritual listening, engaging deeply with JMI’s archive to explore how ancestral voices resonate within contemporary sound worlds.

It promises to be a most special night: a pause, a listening practice, and a moment of transition into the year ahead.

Link in comments for tickets.

19/12/2025

Happy Chanukkah!

As we light the candles this week, we’re reflecting on the importance of culture, community and continuity.

Today, we’re thrilled to launch JMI Membership, starting with our JMI Supporter tier — a new way to support Jewish music while enjoying closer access to our work.

As a JMI Supporter, you’ll enjoy:
– Free or discounted tickets to selected JMI concerts and events
– Two complimentary tickets each year
– Invitations to special events such as open rehearsals, sharings and artist meet-and-greets
– Discounted rates on JMI community programmes, including summer schools, the Community Orchestra, YBB and more

If Jewish music matters to you, we’d love to welcome you into the JMI community.

Tap the link in comments to learn more

11/12/2025

FULL DOCUMENTARY OUT NOW!

We’re excited to share a short film on the making of the JMI Archive — from restoring thousands of rare recordings to curating the collection and transforming it into live performance.

Featuring
— restoration & cataloguing
— archive curation
— deep listening performance created from physical recordings in the collection

—

Creating the Archive of Lost Jewish Sound
Film by
Produced by .zine

Supported by:
Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe
Cockayne Foundation
Arts Council England

With thanks to

A three-part short documentary created by goshgoshgoshgoshgoshgoshgosh and produced by yyy.zine.This film follows the JMI Archive project from preservation t...

05/12/2025

BIG NEWS! We are beyond thrilled to welcome Rob Rinder MBE as the new Chair of JMI!

A passionate advocate for Jewish culture, a powerful public voice, and a champion of creativity, Rob joins us to help shape the future.

From preserving rare archives to nurturing the next generation of musicians, together we’ll ensure Jewish music continues to flourish, innovate, and connect communities.

Head to and to learn more about his appointment. Links in comments.

Welcome, Rob! 💙

28/11/2025

Read about Edoardo's work our JMI Archive!