Tuesday 9 June 2026, 7 pm. In-person lecture at JW3 in London by Lyn Julius of Harif.

The Sassoon story begins in the 19th century. Born in Baghdad, the extraordinary entrepreneur David Sassoon made his fortune in India and set up satelllite businesses all over the Far East. But his descendants craved acceptance in British society. Edward and his son Philip Sassoon became MPs, Siegrfried Sassoon a famous poet. Hannah Gubbay was a socialite and influential collector and Rachel Beer became the first female editor of the Observer and the Sunday Times. Today, only one branch of the family remains Jewish: the descendants of Flora Sassoon and her son, David Solomon Sassoon, whose famous Judaica library was housed at his home in Letchworth .
In this Harif lecture for Jewish Culture Month, Lyn Julius will describe some of these colourful characters and consider their legacy.

The portrait is of Sir Philip Sassoon, MP for Hythe

Tickets £12.50 plus booking and security charge. Booking details.