A Board of Deputies project celebrating UK Jewish history unveiled its first heritage plaque yesterday (04.09.2025), at the former site of the Jews’ Temporary Shelter in Whitechapel.
The plaque scheme will be rolled out during Jewish Culture Month and honours Jewish people, places and institutions which have shaped British life.
HIAS+JCORE’s Executive Director, Rabbi David Mason, was delighted to address the event. Also attending were our Chair Judith Flacks-Leigh, Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg and representatives from HIAS, alongside archivists from Tower Hamlets and experts from Queen Mary University of London.
The Jews’ Temporary Shelter was a fitting launch location. Established in 1885, it assisted countless Jewish refugees by providing temporary accommodation, meals and a network of contacts to help them find work.
HIAS – our partner organisation – played a key role in the Shelter. This included helping refugees from the Holocaust, and Jews who fled to the UK from post-war persecution in India, Hungary, Egypt, Aden, and Iran.
In his remarks, Rabbi David Mason highlighted his own family’s connection to the Shelter. Stressing how HIAS+JCORE’s work is rooted in HIAS’ efforts in the 20th century, he also drew on parallels between past and present refugee experience:
“(We can) connect the difficulties that Jewish refugees went through… with how refugees experience life here today.”
Speaking afterwards, David added: “We were honoured to celebrate HIAS’ history of supporting Jewish refugees in the UK. Our work at HIAS+JCORE builds on that legacy, helping displaced people rebuild their lives today. Now, as then, things are not easy for those needing sanctuary – but guided by our Jewish values we can create a proud future of welcome in the UK.”
