116: Simon Sebag Montefiore on the History — and Future — of British Jews

116: Simon Sebag Montefiore on the History — and Future — of British Jews

From Ask Haviv Anything by Haviv Rettig Gur

May 17, 2026 · 1h 44m · Episode 116

About this episode

The episode explores the history and current challenges facing British Jews through a conversation with historian Simon Sebag Montefiore.

What does it mean to be Jewish in Britain? What happens when centuries of hard-won belonging is suddenly called into question by destabilizing events? In this conversation on history and identity, we sit down with bestselling historian Simon Sebag Montefiore to trace the extraordinary story of British Jewry: from the arrival of Jews with William the Conqueror in 1066, through medieval blood libels and expulsion, to emancipation, empire, Zionism, civil rights and integration, and on to the modern crisis facing British Jews after October 7. We explore how British Jews became one of the most integrated and successful Jewish communities in the world, and why many now feel that a golden age is ending. Montefiore brings the sweep of history to the conversation, while confronting one of the most urgent questions facing Jews in the West today: Can liberal societies still protect Jewish belonging in moments of deep social fracture? -- This episode is sponsored by "The Frozen Chosen," Haviv’s supportive Minnesota community. It is dedicated to the memory of Tchelet Fishbein, who was murdered on October 7 at Kibbutz Beeri. She was 18 years old. Tchelet lived in Kibbutz Urim and…

People in this episode

Host: Haviv Rettig Gur

Guest: Simon Sebag Montefiore

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

The Frozen Chosen

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Britain, Kibbutz Beeri, Kibbutz Urim, Gaza

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