Journeys To Brent: Stories of Jewish Migration and Community
Jewish migration into what is now the London Borough of Brent is a story of movement, resilience and hope. From the late 19th century onwards, many Jewish families arrived in the UK fleeing persecution in Central and Eastern Europe. Others migrated earlier from Spain, Portugal and beyond.
Some initially settled in London’s East End, but as housing and transport improved, families began to move further out, seeking space, opportunity and a better quality of life. Areas like Kilburn, Cricklewood, Willesden, Wembley, Kingsbury and Kenton became new centres of Jewish life. Each family brought with them traditions, memories and a determination to rebuild their lives.
When Willesden was still surrounded by open fields, Willesden Jewish Cemetery opened its gates in 1873. It became the final resting place for generations of those who shaped Brent's story.
By the mid-20th century, a thriving Jewish community had taken root across the area, long before the creation of the Borough of Brent in 1965. Shops, synagogues, schools and social clubs formed the fabric of everyday life. For many, these streets still hold cherished memories. Today, Brent’s Jewish heritage lives on, in its people, its places, and the stories passed from one generation to the next.
