Unlocking North East Jewish Heritage | Documentary Film

🎥 Directed by Alan Fentiman | Archival Project in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, South Shields & Whitley Bay

Unlocking North East Jewish Heritage is a short documentary exploring the remarkable efforts to preserve and digitise the history of Jewish communities across North East England. With the Jewish population in cities like Newcastle and Sunderland declining, this project captures an urgent mission to protect what remains — before it disappears forever.

Through archival work, oral histories, and digital mapping, the project uncovers stories of Jewish life, business, and community involvement that shaped the region for generations. From the closure of synagogues to the loss of documents, the film highlights why digital preservation matters now more than ever.

📍 What’s featured in the film:
• Behind-the-scenes of archive preservation
• Interviews with researchers, archivists, and community members
• Stories of Jewish-owned businesses, synagogues, and civic life
• A new digital archive offering public access to rare materials
• Reflections on legacy, memory, and identity in changing communities

🗺️ Locations include:
Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, South Shields, Whitley Bay

🖥️ The digitised archive allows users to:
✅ Search by name or business
✅ Explore materials by location or theme
✅ Access photos, periodicals, and documents from anywhere

This is a story not just about the past, but about the power of memory, digital access, and keeping a community’s legacy alive for future generations.

⸻

👤 About the filmmaker:
Alan Fentiman is a documentary filmmaker based in Newcastle upon Tyne, specialising in arts, heritage, and community-focused stories.
🎬 Explore more of his heritage films at: alanfentiman.co.uk/vimeo-videos/heritage-films