A time to reflect and a time to act
Two years have passed since the horrific events of 7 October, and the aftershocks are still being felt deeply across Jewish communities in Britain and beyond.
What should have been unthinkable has become ordinary.
Synagogues have been vandalised, homes defaced, Jewish students harassed, and families assaulted simply for being who they are.
Parents are now teaching their children to hide their Star of David necklaces.
Synagogues have installed bulletproof glass where stained glass once stood.
Online, people are changing their usernames, so they don’t “sound Jewish.”
This has become a new and frightening normal and it is shocking, dangerous, and utterly unacceptable.
But this is also a moment for courage.
A moment for solidarity.
A moment to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish friends, colleagues and neighbours and say enough.
Hate cannot thrive where empathy, education, and action take root.
So as a society, we must refuse silence and replace it with collective responsibility.
Key Messages
- Antisemitism is everyone’s problem. It undermines social cohesion and threatens the safety of all communities.
- Silence is complicity. When we ignore or minimise hate, we enable it to grow.
- Education is prevention. Awareness, empathy, and understanding build resilience against prejudice.
- Solidarity is power. Jewish people should never have to stand alone in the fight against hate.
What Employers Can Do
- Embed zero tolerance: Include antisemitism explicitly in anti-bullying and equality policies.
- Create safe spaces: Encourage open dialogue about faith and identity at work.
- Invest in training: Provide staff sessions on antisemitism, unconscious bias, and inclusive leadership.
- Accommodate faith practice: Honour Jewish holy days, prayer times and dietary needs.
- Respond transparently: Take reports of antisemitism seriously and act swiftly.
What Government Can Do
- Strengthen hate crime laws and ensure consistent enforcement across the UK.
- Protect education by making Holocaust and antisemitism education compulsory and meaningful.
- Fund safety measures for faith institutions and local community centres.
- Champion inclusion by embedding antisemitism prevention in national EDI strategies.
- Promote cohesion through national campaigns that celebrate Britain’s diverse faith communities.
What MPs and Councillors Can Do
- Speak up publicly: Challenge antisemitic rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and misinformation.
- Listen locally: Host surgeries and listening sessions with Jewish constituents.
- Model allyship: Attend faith events, Holocaust memorials, and interfaith gatherings.
- Champion representation: Ensure Jewish voices are included in local equality boards and decision-making spaces.
- Educate your communities: Share resources and encourage local schools to engage with Holocaust education initiatives.
What Individuals Can Do
- Be an active bystander: Report antisemitic graffiti, comments, or abuse.
- Speak up: When you hear prejudice, challenge it calmly and confidently.
- Educate yourself: Learn about Jewish culture, history, and contributions to British life.
- Support visibility: Share messages of solidarity and attend interfaith or remembrance events.
- Reflect on bias: Examine how language, humour, or social media use might unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes.
What Friends and Family Can Do
Antisemitism doesn’t just affect individuals it affects entire families and friendship groups. Allies can make an enormous difference in how safe and supported Jewish people feel.
- Listen without judgement: If someone shares their experience of antisemitism, believe them. Don’t minimise their fear.
- Show presence: Accompany Jewish friends to community events, vigils, or religious gatherings.
- Offer practical help: If someone feels unsafe, check in, help with transport, or support security measures.
- Challenge ignorance in your circles: Call out jokes, stereotypes, or online hate when you see it.
- Celebrate identity: Acknowledge Jewish holidays and send messages of warmth and solidarity. Small gestures matter.
A Hopeful Conclusion: Turning Solidarity into Strength
In dark times, light is a collective act.
Every policy written, every conversation had, every act of kindness shared — all become strands in a stronger, fairer fabric of society.
Two years on from that horrific October, we cannot undo the fear, but we can transform it into resolve.
Resolve to build communities where difference is respected, identity is celebrated, and faith is never a risk.
Hate may rise but so can we.
Together, we can ensure that no one ever again feels they must hide who they are to feel safe.