Purim In Stamford Hill

September 21, 2024

by the gentle author

Photographer Neil Martinson introduces his pictures of the Purim festival celebrated by an orthodox Jewish community in Hackney

‘It’s the most surprising festival in London, in which the largest orthodox Jewish community in Europe discard their traditional black clothing and break into a dazzle of colour and costumes for the festival of Purim.

Hackney has always been a place of incredible diversity and energy. The orthodox Jewish community in Stamford Hill has long been an integral part of the borough, and I wanted to share their story, particularly around Purim, which is such an expressive and joyful festival. I first took photos of Purim in 1981 when it was a modest event held in peoples homes.

The Charedi community was established in Hackney in the 1920s, growing significantly after the Second World War as survivors of the Holocaust and refugees fled the devastation of Europe. Now numbering at least 30,000, there are seventy-five synagogues within walking distance of their homes. As the community has grown so has the festival. This is a celebration of their strength, their joy, and their traditions.’ – Neil Martinson