Exhibition celebrates legacy of the Brady Girls’ Club in London’s Jewish East End

“It is the purpose of Brady to create a feeling of friendship between all peoples – regardless of creed or colour.”  With those inspiring words Miriam Moses OBE JP and first female Jewish mayor in the UK, co-founded The  Brady Girls’ Club and became chairman.

Brady Girls was a parallel to the older Brady Boys’ Club (founded 1896 by Lady Rothschild), the first Jewish youth club in the country. However, it wasn’t until 1960 that the Brady Boys and Brady Girls Club amalgamated. (They say marriages are made in heaven, but readers of a certain age may know of many who came into being at Brady.)

For eight decades in the 20th century, the Clubs became a beacon of hope and support for underprivileged youth, provided social opportunities, skill development and even holidays for the youth of the Jewish East End.

Now The Bradians Trust present a new exhibition; ‘We are the Brady Girls part 2’,(Part 1 was held in London Metropolitan University in 2023) opens 6th September. On show will be previously unseen images, objects from the Brady Archives and personal narratives from young women whose lives were shaped by the pivotal role the Club played in their lives and the lives of thousands of young women across the East End.

Furthermore, stories of the Brady Girls and Boys come to life in the new Brady Memory Map (www.bradymemorymap.co.uk)  where former members discuss formative experiences. There you can listen to fascinating personal stories connected to Brady by digitally pinpointing significant Jewish areas in the East End.  Such as:

Barbara; born 1942,

“We lived in; one bedroom flat – a short walk to Brady – 2 days a week; and God forbid you didn’t have your sub.

I did Hebrew a couple of hours a week and there was PT and there were other classes.  My best memory of Brady was it was just there; as were my friends and the community and there was a lot going on.”

Eric born 1944 ;

“I went to Brady when 12 or 13; I was a bit of a late starter.  We lived in a bit of a flea pit of a flat in Hessel Street market. 

My grandfather was a Kosher butcher; I worked out there were 17 Kosher butchers in the market that was 200 yards long; 20 yards wide; how any of them made a living I have no idea.”

Milly born1926:

“It was a hard life for my parents and I was the baby; one brother no money; We lived in a block of flats Hughes Mansions, Vallance Road.

‘134 people got killed in our flats [after V2 rocket attack in 1934]; my mother was sitting up in bed having a cup of tea and the girder fell the back of her neck; so then I was motherless, homeless and penniless.”

June born 1939:“Our parents loved us going to Brady because it gave us an interest; they knew where we were and there was always someone to come home with.  I was very interested in dramatics and we put on lots of different productions; I also played netball for the club and we did keep fit displays for the parents; and of course we enjoyed the socials.  Eventually I was on the committee and used to buy records for our dances and that’s when the boys used to come. “

‘We Are The Brady Girls’ will be held from 6 September to 28th September; Mondays to Fridays 9am-7pm and Saturdays 10am – 4pm. at the original home of the Brady Girls Club in Hanbury Street, London E1; now known as the Brady Arts & Community Centre.

For more information please visit www.bradyarchive.co.uk

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