A DOCUMENTARY on Canvey’s Jewish community has been praised as a “must watch” ahead of its release.

BBC will air its film “Canvey: The Promised Island” on Tuesday, January 9 on BBC One.

The film follows Chris Fenwick, islander and manager of rock band Dr Feelgood, as he organises a joint dinner party for both communities, aiming to fully integrate the Jewish community into the island.

Despite the potential for a culture clash, leaders in both communities are determined to create a good neighbourly relationship.

Mr Fenwick said: “It is a must watch, not just for the island but for anyone. It is interesting to everybody, it is such an important story that is worthwhile for everyone.

“I have already seen the documentary, and lets just say it paints Canvey in an exceptionally good light, it paints the Canvey community in a very good light, and it paints the Jewish community in a very good light.

“It is something that I am very proud to have been involved in, and something I hope can help shape the community we have here on Canvey.”

Echo:

During the documentary, the communities experience each other’s music, food and cultural responsibilities. For example, Jewish women would not usually sit at the same table as men to eat and they are not allowed to listen to rock music.

The high property prices in London are forcing the Jewish community out and it chose Canvey to relocate to.

Initially, the documentary caused quite a stir with 800 people signing a petition calling on the BBC to scrap the show.

Those behind the petition feared the Canvey community would not be shown in a good light – and there were fears residents would be portrayed as “racist bigots”.

But Mr Fenwick has insisted the documentary will be interesting and informative for all members of Canvey’s community.

With Castle Point among the five most pro-Brexit wards in the UK, a clash may have seemed likely.

But largely the reaction has been positive.

Joel Friedman, a policy director with a Jewish charity previously told the Echo is was Canvey’s community spirit which led to the decision to set up a new faith centre within an unused school on the island.

The site of the former Castle View School, in Meppel Avenue, has been transformed by The Charedi community, a branch of the Jewish faith.

There have been hiccups, but undeterred, Joel Friedman and the rest of the community have continued to seemlessly blend into island life, and hope the documentary will create a better understanding of their faith.