Jews by the Seaside

This book describes the rise and decline of Bournemouth's Jewish hotels and guest houses, the growth of Bournemouth as a premier resort and the evolution of its Jewish community. There are neat comparisons with the Catskills and the Borscht belt which had a similar rise and fall as a Jewish resort centre. Commencing with the appearance of the first small Jewish boarding houses in the late 19th century, it charts the emergence of ever-more luxurious hotels during the inter-war years. Fox captures the glamour of the 'Big Eight' hotels and the more intimate smaller establishments in their heyday following WWII. She explores the decline Bournemouth's Jewish holiday trade and examines different aspects of hotel and guest house life - food, religious activities and entertainment. She concludes with an analysis of the historical significance and legacies of the kosher establishments, as British Jews balanced the goal of assimilation with the desire for a world of their own. The focus is on those who ran, staffed and stayed in the kosher establishments, shedding light on the dynamics of the mainly family-run businesses. The text is replete with humorous and poignant memories and stories.