Special Focus Tour: Judaism in Early Modern England and 20th Century Virginia

Agecroft Hall & Gardens and Virginia Holocaust Museum present “Judaism in Early Modern England and 20th Century Virginia.”

Starting with the expulsion of the Jews in 1290, those of the Jewish faith still remaining in England led a life of secrecy, forced conversions, and discrimination. This tour focuses on the 16th and 17th centuries, discussing their eventual re-entry, professions held, stereotypes associated with their work, and, of course, William Shakespeare’s Shylock.

Megan Ferenczy, Director of Education at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, will continue the tour in the Williams Library with a uniquely-Richmond story to tie the past and present together. She will discuss 20th century antisemitism and how a local Richmond family responded to it in 1930s Europe.