Scottish Jewish Archives Centre walk around the Govanhill/Crosshill area of Glasgow

Scottish Jewish Archives Centre walk around the Govanhill/Crosshill area of Glasgow

As part of a programme of events organised for the Govanhill International Festival and Carnival. Harvey Kaplan and Fiona Brodie, assisted by Howard Brodie, led a Scottish Jewish Archives Centre walk around the Govanhill/Crosshill area of Glasgow.

It was an area where many Jewish people lived throughout much of the 20th century as they moved out of the city centre and the Gorbals area. They formed a tightknit community with the establishment of synagogues, educational organisations, social groups, youth groups and shops. Harvey and Fiona explored the story of the community’s experiences based on material in the Archives Centre’s collections, personal recollections and on further research.

A group of nearly 40 people set off for a two-hour exploration of the history, giving a flavour of what the community was once like.

We’re happy to say that everyone seemed to enjoy it, despite the changeable weather! Participants commented:“I want to thank you and your team, for a most informative and enjoyable tour. Really enjoyed it”; “Thought the walk was excellent yesterday and you all made it most interesting and we learned things we didn’t know previously”; and “Thought the walk was excellent and you all made it most interesting and we learned things we didn’t know previously”.

Harvey and Fiona learnt more too as some of participants shared their memories of the area. If you have memories and photos of the Jewish community in that area please do share them with the Archives Centre – we’re always keen to receive new material for our collections.

… and we plan to do the walk again! Watch this space…