On his visit to Kenton United Synagogue two weeks ago, I sat alongside the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, when he met with the shul’s weekly “Coffee and Chat” group. This was one of a few roundtables where the Prime Minister wished to reassure synagogue members after their building suffered an arson attack which miraculously did not destroy it.
Unprompted, nearly all the participants started with the same words: “My parents must be turning in their graves.” And they went on, “Our parents always told us that we were the lucky ones. We would never in our lifetime see the Jew-hatred which was so rampant when they were growing up. Sadly, that was not to be.”
Over recent weeks, something has changed. Most of us feel it, even if we struggle to describe it. It is the feeling that the ground we thought was solid has moved beneath our feet. Our country that we love and cherish no longer feels safe.
The Met Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, said recently that the threat to British Jews is greater than it has been at any point in history. Within our community, we do not need convincing. Many of us experience abuse of one sort or another for being Jewish. We witness ongoing Jew-hatred in numerous spheres of public engagement, aware always that a warped portrayal of Israel and purposeful demonisation of the Jewish state in political circles and the media impacts directly on our security.
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik taught that in the face of evil, the Jewish question is not “why?” but “what?” Not, “Why is this happening to us?” but, rather, “What does this moment require of us?” The first question turns us inward, toward paralysis or despair. The second turns outward, toward agency and purpose.
So, what does this moment require?
It requires us to demand clearly, unapologetically and with the full force of a community that has earned its place in this country, that this moment be met with meaningful action. We appreciate the financial support given by successive governments to secure our communal facilities. But, higher walls and tougher security treat only the symptoms. The root causes must now be urgently confronted.
Hate preaching must be faced down. The platforms that have made Jew-hatred normal must be held accountable. The threat from the far right, the far left and from Islamism must be called out and tackled. The Iranian regime, which has been targeting British citizens on British soil, must face real consequences, starting with proscription of the IRGC and expulsion of its ambassador. If any other minority community were being targeted by a foreign state, a response would have been immediate. We ask for nothing more than the same standard.
This is not merely a threat to the Jews. It is a threat to our entire society. The question is not: “What is the future for the Jews of Britain?” but, “What is the future for Britain?”
And this moment requires something of wider society too. I have never doubted that the silent majority is with us. They are deeply troubled by recent events. But, the time has come for the silent majority to raise its voice. Private sympathy, however genuine, is no longer enough. On Sunday May 10, Jews will gather in central London to stand against antisemitism. I hope it will not feel like a Jewish event. I hope it will feel like a British one. Not for us, but with us. This is a hatred we must face down together.
Jewish history is punctuated by those who have risen against us, and by our refusal to be defined by them. As we declared around our Seder tables on Pesach, “In every generation they have sought to annihilate us, and the Holy One Blessed Be He has saved us from their hands”. Thus, the passionate cry, “Am Yisrael Chai” is not a wishful dream. It is a statement of certainty. We will continue not just to live, but to thrive!
The Book of Exodus tells us that, the more Pharaoh and the Egyptians oppressed us, the more we multiplied and gained strength. Our response to suffering has always been to grow in quality and quantity. We fight darkness and fear with optimism and hope.
Following recent attacks on our Synagogues, we are attending services in greater numbers. Recent attacks on Jewish people and premises have brought more of us out to express our Judaism with pride. Those who seek to terrorise us will always fail. Since October 7 our Jewish identity has been significantly strengthened. We stand tall. We are proud of our Jewish tradition and values. We are proud to identify as Zionists. We will continue to live open and proud Jewish lives.
I am exceptionally proud of UK Jewry. CST, Hatzola and Shomrim reflect our community at its finest; talented, resourceful and brave. We are resilient and are facing current developments with fortitude and strength. "Od lo avda tikvateinu” – we live in hope and with deep belief.
Our current challenges call upon us to do even more. This is a time to invest in our Jewishness. A time to increase our Jewish light. To grow in Jewish learning and literacy, to share the truth and beauty of Israel, and to perform extra acts of charity and loving kindness.
Our Chassidic masters taught us that it takes only a small amount of light to expel a great amount of darkness. Let us now relentlessly call upon the British people to courageously take on the dark forces surrounding us. Let each one of us commit ourselves to proudly reflect the light of our great Jewish heritage.
And may our wonderful community be blessed to do so in peace and security.
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