Top of the Hill Programme – October to December 2026

Wednesday 11th November, at Shul at 2.15 pm

Andrew Whitehead – A DEVILISH KIND OF COURAGE – “Anarchists, Aliens and the Siege of Sidney Street”

This is the story of a dramatic shoot-out in 1911 in the streets of London’s East End. Two Latvian emigrés wanted for the murder of three London police officers held armed police and then the army at bay for six hours. The home secretary, Winston Churchill, came to the scene to help direct operations. The siege caused a sensation – newsreel footage of the incident was being shown in London cinemas that same day. This talk will explain the context of the shoot-out, look at who the gunmen were, and also explain the upsurge in antisemitism after the incident and how the Liberal government of the day resisted calls for tighter restrictions on immigration.

Andrew Whitehead was a news editor at the BBC World Service and is a historian of London. His book A Devilish Kind of Courage: Anarchists, Aliens and the Siege of Sidney Street was published by Reaktion in 2024.

Wednesday 25th November, at Shul at 2.15 pm

Jonathan Bergwerk – FAGIN: “Villain, Stereotype and Musical Star”

A lively, illustrated romp through Oliver Twist, following Fagin from Dickens’s to Lionel Bart’s beloved musical Oliver!. We explore how one of literature’s most controversial Jewish characters was created, why Dickens was accused of antisemitism, and how a remarkable Jewish woman changed his mind.

Jonathan Bergwerk is an occupational psychologist who talks widely on the lives of eminent Jews, both ancient and modern. Each presentation outlines the individual’s life and psychology, their contribution to society and impact on Jewish life.

Wednesday 9th December, at Shul at 2.15 pm

CHANUKAH PARTY

We have invited the members of the Muswell Hill Methodist Church to join us.

Please note that we make a charge of £5 for all meetings in Shul .