Primary school children across Plymouth are experiencing Jewish culture firsthand through klezmer music workshops, part of a groundbreaking initiative to combat rising antisemitism through education and cultural connection. The Klezmer Village Band has been bringing centuries-old musical traditions to classrooms during the UK's first Jewish Culture Month, with a sold-out performance at The Drum at Theatre Royal Plymouth anchoring the educational effort.
At Woodfield Primary, joined by pupils from nearby St Peter's and Mount Street schools, many children encountered klezmer music and Jewish culture for the first time. The initiative comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for "every part of society" to take responsibility against rising antisemitism, underscoring the urgency of educational programs that foster understanding and connection.
Reconnecting Through Heritage
The project, organized by Plymouth Jewish Community CIC, represents a deliberate effort to reconnect Plymouth with its Jewish heritage through culture and education. Louise Clements, director of Plymouth Jewish Community CIC, said, "We wanted to bring Jewish culture back into the community. This is the first time in many years that something like this has happened here." She explained the project aimed to show "young people what Jewish life and music is like."
Musician Ilana Cravitz explained that klezmer comes from Eastern Europe, from communities that lived there when it was part of the Russian Empire, and that much of the music comes from places now known as Ukraine. "Music is a wordless language," Cravitz said, adding, "People respond from inside - they stop thinking, they feel. And we really saw that today."
Opening Conversations About Belonging
The word klezmer comes from two Yiddish terms meaning vessel of song, a reference to both the instruments and the musicians who bring the music to life. Alongside the performance, the workshops opened discussions about identity, belonging and shared experience.
Cravitz noted the deeper themes embedded in the music: "We talked about people coming together... sometimes because they've felt excluded or persecuted, and finding connection through music."
For Clements, the music carries personal meaning: "It takes me back to family celebrations and weddings," she said, adding, "For others, it shows a different side of Jewish culture - something that sparks curiosity."
Children Respond With Joy
The students' reactions revealed the power of cultural exposure. One pupil said, "I thought it was lovely. I loved the dancing and the singing. When the band played, it was amazing." Another added, "It had a really nice sound. It made me feel happy and relaxed." One boy said, "No musicians have ever played live music to me before."
Musician John McNaughton said the reaction had been overwhelmingly positive. He said, "Children have that innocence - they're not afraid to enjoy something new."
Why This Matters:
As antisemitism rises across the UK, educational initiatives that introduce young people to Jewish culture and heritage serve as essential tools for building understanding and combating prejudice. By bringing klezmer music and its stories of resilience, community, and belonging into primary schools, Plymouth is modeling how public institutions can take concrete action against hate through education rather than waiting for bias to take root. The workshops create space for children to encounter Jewish life not as abstract history but as living culture, fostering empathy and connection at an age when attitudes are still forming. In communities where Jewish populations may be small or invisible, such programs ensure that young people see Jewish culture as part of the diverse fabric of British society, not something foreign or threatening. The project demonstrates how arts education can serve broader goals of social cohesion and inclusion, particularly when backed by civic organizations committed to making cultural heritage accessible to all students.