This site is maintained by enthusiasts with a deep interest in Oxford’s Jewish past, supported by scholars including Hebraists, medievalists, and archaeologists. We are always pleased to welcome new expertise and fresh perspectives, and we warmly invite anyone who feels able to contribute to get in touch at ojh@ojc-online.org.
Our aim is to introduce visitors and local residents alike to the rich and complex history of the Jewish presence in Oxford, from the earliest documentary records to the vibrant community of today
The Jews first arrived in Oxford from France in the wake of the Norman conquest and soon developed a thriving community here. Since Christians were forbidden to lend money, many were involved in money lending but they also worked as merchants and in a variety of other trades. They were expelled from Oxford and England by the proclamation of King Edward 1 in 1290.
They returned to England at the time of Oliver Cromwell and in 1650 a Jew opened the country’s first coffee house on Oxford High St. The current community dates from around 1840 when Jews arrived fleeing persecution in Poland and Russia.
In the 1930s, refugees including scholars, many invited by the University, came here from Germany and other parts of Europe. Today’s community has roots all over the world, in Europe, the Middle East, the USA, South America, Southern Africa, and Australia.*
Oxford has a remarkably well-documented medieval Jewry and these and more modern records are held in both the National Archives and in many of the university’s colleges, some of which have existed for more than 750 years.
Highlights on this website include detailed maps of Medieval Jewish Oxford, an Inventory of Hebraica and Judaica in the Oxford Colleges, Blue Plaques for famous Oxford Jews . There are also detailed histories of the three periods of Oxford’s Jewish heritage and information about notable Jewish people from the beginning to the present day.
If you think of a subject missing from our pages, contact us: ojh@ojc-online.org
Save the page and keep checking for updates (or be notified via www.facebook.com/OxfordJewishHeritage/ as we take you on the journey through Oxford’s Jewish History
*To build on our present-day community’s origins please go to https://www.oxfordjewishheritage.co.uk/mappingoxford-sjewishorigins/ where we are mapping Oxford’s Jewish origins (MOJO).
Latest News & Articles:
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