We start with a visit to Yarnton Manor, Oxford's internationally renowned centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. After refreshments, a tour of the Manor, a talk about the library and display of some of its most interesting holdings. We visit the Bodleian University Library, which houses many Jewish valuable manuscripts and learn about its history and the way it works. A sandwich lunch will be followed by a walking tour of Jewish Oxford, with our Guide, Marcus Roberts. Here we discover the fascinating history of Jewish Oxford*; how Jews were involved in founding Oxford's first true College in 1264. We visit the sites of the medieval Jewish cemeteries and a possible mikveh as well and find out the spot where Jews were forced to raise a penitential cross after a religious riot. Other major sites of the Medieval Jewish quarter hearing how the Town Hall was built on confiscated Jewish property, finishing the tour at England's first Coffee house, founded by a Jew in 1665.
After the tour we go to Chabad House, as guests of Rabbi Eli and Mrs Friedi Brackman, for tea. We then return to London.

The tour will be conducted at a sedate pace, with frequent stops, over largely level ground and will be suited to most walkers. It will last 1 hour and 20 minutes. Please ask for advice if you feel you may have any difficulties with the walk.
* All inside visits in Oxford are subject to availability on the day.

Marcus Roberts has conducted regular, popular Jewish heritage tours for the Spiro Ark and was the director of Oxford Heritage Tours. His clients have included Itzaak Shamir and Leonard Nimoy. He is an expert on Anglo-Jewish history and heritage, a Council member of the Jewish Historical Society and has made this tour of Oxford his own over 16 years. He has published a popular history of Nightingale House and has written historical articles for the Jewish Chronicle.

Specially organised for members of IBC -- sold out.