One of the largest Hasidic communities in Europe is located in London, and the Jewish community there faces a number of challenges today. This article examines the problems faced by Jewish communities and individuals living in Britain today as they practice their faith. There are three main challenges: a threat from within, a threat from without, and apathy. The Jewish community in London is confronted with a variety of issues that can be divided into three main categories: a threat from within, a threat from without, and apathy.
The first challenge is the rise of anti-Semitism, which has been on the rise in recent years. This has been evidenced by an increase in hate crimes directed against members of specific communities, with most incidents involving verbal abuse and a small number involving physical violence. Additionally, there have been reports of convoys of cars travelling to areas where Jews live, as well as the disproportionate impact on students, teachers and university students. The second challenge is external threats from other countries or groups. For example, following recent tensions in the Middle East, there have been an increase in hate crimes against Jews.
Additionally, there have been reports of death threats and physical violence sent to the social media accounts of Jewish and Israeli societies. The third challenge is apathy towards the Jewish community. Despite the abuse they face, many members of the community remain proud of their faith and heritage. However, some members are rethinking their future in the UK due to the increasing hostility they face. This is evidenced by Jenny Tamari, a mother of three from North West London who is considering leaving due to the hostile environment. It is important to note that these challenges are not new; they have been present for centuries.
For example, it is known that in 1210 King John summoned the leaders of England's Jewish community to Bristol where he imprisoned and tortured them alleging that they had illegally concealed their assets (what they possessed). Additionally, collective violence led to attacks against the Jewish community in London, East Anglia and Lincolnshire. In order to combat these challenges, it is important to learn from past experiences. For example, we must learn from the “Lavans” of this world and from the way they carry out their mischievous and passionate activities. Additionally, police forces should have readily available data on the number of anti-Semitic incidents reported in order to better respond to them.
Finally, it is important to remember that Jews have made significant contributions to England throughout history and should be celebrated for their achievements.
