A grassroots cultural initiative brought centuries-old klezmer music to Plymouth primary schools this week, marking the first significant Jewish cultural programming in the city in years as communities nationwide confront rising antisemitism. The Klezmer Village Band performed for students at Woodfield Primary, joined by pupils from nearby St Peter's and Mount Street schools, as part of the UK's first Jewish Culture Month.
Community-Led Cultural Revival
The project, organized by Plymouth Jewish Community CIC, represents a community-driven effort to reconnect Plymouth with its Jewish heritage through education rather than government mandate. The initiative follows comments by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for "every part of society" to take responsibility against rising antisemitism, emphasizing the role of civil society institutions in addressing cultural challenges.
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 noted a personal connection to the music, saying, "It takes me back to family celebrations and weddings," and added, "For others, it shows a different side of Jewish culture - something that sparks curiosity." The project aimed to show "young people what Jewish life and music is like."
Educational Workshops and Musical Tradition
For many children, the performance marked their first encounter with both klezmer music and Jewish culture. The educational workshops, which accompanied a sell-out performance at The Drum at Theatre Royal Plymouth, opened discussions about identity, belonging and shared experience. 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.
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. She said, "Music is a wordless language," and added, "People respond from inside - they stop thinking, they feel. And we really saw that today." She also said, "We talked about people coming together... sometimes because they've felt excluded or persecuted, and finding connection through music."
Student Response and Cultural Exchange
The initiative generated enthusiastic responses from participating students. 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:
This community-organized initiative demonstrates how civil society institutions can address cultural challenges through education and shared experience rather than top-down government programs. As antisemitism rises nationwide, the project shows local organizations taking direct responsibility for cultural preservation and interfaith understanding. The grassroots approach—funded and organized by Plymouth Jewish Community CIC rather than government agencies—reflects the effectiveness of voluntary civic engagement in strengthening community bonds. The program's focus on cultural education through music and discussion provides a model for other communities seeking to combat prejudice through understanding rather than regulation, emphasizing personal connection and shared human experience over institutional mandates.