Nigel Grizzard

On the Shoulders of Rabbi Strauss: 150 Years of Bradford’s Jewish History

Description

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Rabbi Strauss’s arrival in Bradford, join Jewish Heritage Guide Nigel Grizzard as he pays tribute to one of the city’s greatest sons.

Few, if any, people have had as big an influence on the story of Bradford and its Jewish roots as Rabbi Dr Joseph Strauss.

It was during the 19th century that Jewish settlers first came from Europe and helped boost the city’s economic fortunes as it became the wool capital of the world. However, it was with the arrival of Rabbi Strauss in 1873 that Bradford’s Jewish Community really started moving.

Not only was Rabbi Strauss one of the first Reform Rabbis in England, but he led Bradford’s Jewish community for almost 50 years. He founded the city’s Reform Synagogue, which became the home of the local Jewish community and to this day remains unchanged from its original design.

About the Speaker

Nigel Grizzard

Nigel Grizzard

Nigel Grizzard is the West Yorkshire Jewish Heritage Guide. He enjoys taking people round towns and cities and discovering hidden histories. Much of Nigel’s work is in Bradford and in recent years he has undertaken many tours for the descendants of German Jewish immigrants who came to Bradford in the nineteenth century to build the Wool Capital of the World.