Jews of Canvey Island to be subject of new BBC documentary
Programme to offer insight into lives of Strictly-Orthodox community who relocated from Hackney to the Thames estuary
Move over ‘Made in Chelsea’ – here comes ‘The Jews of Canvey Island,’ a TV documentary following the relocation of Chasidic Jews from north London to “the most English place in Britain”.
The forthcoming BBC documentary, which claims “unique access” to the strictly Orthodox community, follows the families’ relocation from Hackney to the greener pastures of Canvey Island in Essex, in search of more affordable housing.
Announcing the programme this week, documentary makers said: “The show follows Chris Fenwick, island native and manager of rock band Dr Feelgood, as he organises a joint dinner party for both communities with social integration at the top of the menu.”
Viewers will learn whether the islanders end up tucking into kosher food and whether Chasidic wives bite the bullet and agree to sit next to island men, as the film-crew shows the process of integration – or lack of.
The programme is part of a 2017 series of new BBC commissions focusing on faith and ethical issues, with others including ‘The Hotel For Refugees,’ which follows a small Irish Catholic community grappling with the impact of the arrival of Syrian refugees.
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