JMI is the home of Jewish music in the UK. We are dedicated to the celebration, preservation and dev We are the Jewish Music Institute.
We curate, educate and celebrate – bringing to life this rich seam in world culture. Our mission encompasses the music of the Jewish people wherever they are and wherever they have been, preserving and developing this great genre for the benefit of present and future generations.
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.
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.
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
Creating The JMI Archive Of Lost Jewish Sounds 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!
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