Herschel Gluck Documentary Screens at Abney Park, Interfaith Film

Key Points

• A documentary titled How to Get On With Everybody explores the extraordinary life of Herschel Gluck, a beloved local rabbi from the Haredi Jewish community in north London.
• The film is directed by award-winning filmmakers Elin Moe and Winstan Whitter.
• Herschel Gluck is known for his lifelong dedication to interfaith dialogue, especially between Jewish and Muslim communities.
• He founded the Muslim-Jewish Forum in London 25 years ago.
• Gluck was awarded an OBE in 2013 for his services to interfaith understanding.
• The documentary delves into his work with Shomrim, a Jewish neighbourhood watch group, and his friendships with local Muslim communities.
• His upbringing among Holocaust survivors strongly shaped his commitment to dialogue and peacebuilding efforts.
• How to Get On With Everybody will be screened at Abney Park in a special event featuring a Q&A with Gluck.
• The film previously premiered at the Rio Cinema as part of the Hackney History Festival.

What is the documentary How to Get On With Everybody about?

As reported by the Hackney Citizen, How to Get On With Everybody is an intimate portrait of Herschel Gluck, a well-known rabbi from the Haredi Jewish community in north London. The documentary, created by acclaimed filmmakers Elin Moe and Winstan Whitter, captures Gluck’s remarkable life and his commitment to building bridges between diverse communities. It focuses on his ongoing efforts to foster understanding and cooperation among people of different backgrounds, particularly between Jewish and Muslim communities in London. The film provides insight into both his personal history and community work, highlighting his role within Shomrim, the Jewish neighbourhood watch organisation, and the Muslim-Jewish Forum he established a quarter of a century ago.

Who is Herschel Gluck and why is he significant?

According to journalist reports by the Hackney Citizen, Herschel Gluck has earned recognition as one of “life’s true optimists.” He has dedicated his life to peacebuilding and promoting interfaith understanding. Growing up surrounded by Holocaust survivors profoundly influenced his worldview and resolute commitment to dialogue between communities of all faiths and backgrounds. His efforts include not only local community engagement but also international work in conflict zones.

Gluck set up the Muslim-Jewish Forum in London 25 years ago, a pioneering initiative fostering dialogue between two often-divided communities. In recognition of his exceptional service, Gluck was honoured with an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2013 by the Queen for his services to interfaith understanding. This accolade underscores his stature as a community leader and peacemaker.

How is Gluck’s community work portrayed in the film?

The documentary showcases Gluck’s diverse roles within his community, especially focusing on his involvement with Shomrim, a Jewish neighbourhood watch group focused on safety and community solidarity. The filmmakers also emphasise his close, ongoing friendship with the local Muslim population, illustrating a model of grassroots peacebuilding and cooperation.

This community engagement is portrayed not only through Gluck’s actions but also within the broader social context of Hackney, a culturally rich and diverse area where Gluck’s cross-cultural engagement has made a tangible impact. Winstan Whitter, one of the filmmakers and a Stamford Hill native, has a history of creating Hackney-focused films that tell uplifting, human stories, and this latest work continues that tradition.

When and where will the film be screened?

The film How to Get On With Everybody first premiered publicly at the Rio Cinema on 25 May as part of the Hackney History Festival, providing an audience with a deep look into Gluck’s life and legacy. Following that, the documentary is scheduled for a special screening at Abney Park, a culturally significant park in Hackney, with an opportunity for attendees to engage in a Q&A session with Herschel Gluck himself.

This event offers the public a chance to not only view the film but also hear directly from Gluck about his experiences and motivations, making it an important cultural and community occasion for London residents interested in interfaith dialogue and community activism.

Who are the filmmakers behind the documentary?

The documentary is helmed by Elin Moe and Winstan Whitter, filmmakers with an established reputation for making meaningful, socially engaged films. Winstan Whitter, raised in Stamford Hill, is a former professional skateboarder turned filmmaker known for focusing on positive stories from Hackney. His mission has been to tell good, uplifting stories about the community, and this film fits within that mission by spotlighting a figure committed to optimism and understanding.

What broader social and historical context does the film explore?

The film situates Gluck’s work within a broader narrative of post-Holocaust Jewish life in London, especially in relation to the challenges and opportunities of multicultural coexistence. His upbringing in a community of Holocaust survivors is presented as a key influence shaping his inclusive vision.