Jews have lived in Britain longer than any other minority – so ingrained into the national fabric that they are often not considered to be a minority at all. And while there is a pervading sense of anxiety, as periodic outbursts of antisemitism or flare ups in the Middle East turn the spotlight on them, there is also a new sense of confidence, a pride in being Jewish that former generations so often lacked.

Harry Freedman, Britain’s leading author of popular works of Jewish culture and history, returns to the festival to discuss his long-awaited, challenging Britain’s Jews: Confidence, Maturity, Anxiety with journalist Tanya Gold.

Harry Freedman is Britain’s leading author of popular works of Jewish culture and history. His publications include The Talmud: A Biography, Kabbalah: Secrecy, Scandal and the Soul, The Murderous History of Bible Translations and Leonard Cohen: The Mystical Roots of Genius. He has a PhD on an Aramaic translation of the Bible from London University. He lives in London with his wife Karen. You can follow his regular articles on harryfreedman.substack.com.

Tanya Gold is a freelance journalist and restaurant critic for The Spectator. She won a British Press Award in 2010 and a Foreign Press Association Award in 2015.