"Jews and Photography in Britain: New Perspectives in Jewish History and the History of Photography"

Michael Berkowitz will speak about his recent book, Jews and Photography in Britain, the first-ever historical investigation of the Jewish engagement with photography in Britain. It ranges from the work of immigrant Jewish portrait photographers in the mid-nineteenth century to the author's audience with His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh (2012) about Prince Philip's friend, "Baron" (Sterling Henry Nahum). Jews have been involved, far out of proportion to their number, in all facets of photography in the UK, including photojournalism, portrait studios, collecting, applications of photography to the fine arts, and the emergence of photography criticism and history as distinct fields. Despite Jews having played such remarkable roles in this overwhelming area of visual culture, little attention has been paid to ethnic-religious difference, in part due to photography's problematic and evolving relationship to what was deemed 'respectable' and proper 'art.' To be sure, Britain expressed tolerance and foresight in (almost always) allowing Jewish photographers to flourish, providing refuge to the Warburg Institute, and welcoming individuals fleeing Nazism such as Helmut Gernsheim and Stefan Lorant. Yet as a nation it squandered the opportunity—especially that afforded by the offer of Helmut Gernsheim's astounding collection—to provide a permanent institutional home for a serious engagement with photography.

Berkowitz also will discuss what he has learned about the subject since the book's publication—including revelations about his own mishpokhe in British photography, and connections between Jews and other minority communities.

Image courtesy of Yablon Collection, Jewish Historical Society of England

If you have a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation, contact the Judaic Studies office at 734-763-9047 at least two weeks prior to the event.