Looking back at the JC’s recent Rosh Hashanah leader columns is a depressing experience. One word has been repeated — necessarily — ad nauseam: Corbyn.
Much as we may wish for something different this year, if anything the fears of a Corbyn government have worsened.
There is much else to be grateful for.
We are a thriving community with an energy and commitment that seems to deepen all the time.
Where once British Jews were caricatured as timorous and deferential, today we are vibrant and — where necessary — loud.
But that need has been all too frequent, thanks to Mr Corbyn. And the current political chaos means that it is impossible to discount the presence of Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street.
At this week’s Labour conference, where antisemitism was once again unashamedly on display, Dame Louise Ellman said she could “understand” why British Jews “would seriously consider” leaving the country if Mr Corbyn took office.
What an indictment of Labour that one of its own, entirely admirable, MPs should feel the need to say such a thing and that it is little more than a statement of fact.
Who would have thought four years ago, in a world before Labour was led by an antisemite, that British Jews would have to consider leaving our own country?
But many of us have already had the discussion. Even if few ever act on it, the fact that we have to think about it is appalling.
And there is no realistic prospect of any of this changing. So when on Rosh Hashanah we look ahead as well as back, it would be misguided to assume that next year will be better.
Even if Jeremy Corbyn loses the expected election and steps down, the poison that he and his allies have injected into Labour will remain.
Traditionally we wish our readers a happy, healthy and peaceful new year. That is even more heartfelt this year, although it is difficult to be ‘happy’ in such circumstances.
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