Foreword: This Is Not Abstract – This Is Happening Here
Across the UK and here in Greater Manchester recent months have seen a disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents: verbal abuse in the street, intimidation outside places of worship, online harassment spilling into real-world threats, and Jewish individuals being targeted simply for who they are.
These are not isolated moments. They are part of a wider pattern.
Reports from the Community Security Trust continue to show record levels of antisemitism. Locally, Jewish communities have reported heightened fear, increased security presence, and changes to daily life whether that’s removing visible signs of identity, avoiding certain areas, or questioning whether it is safe to speak openly.
This blog is not just a reflection on a documentary.
It is a reflection on a lived reality.
“Why Are British Jews Afraid?” – Listening, Learning, and Acting Together
Last night, I joined over 100 people on a Zoom watch party hosted by a grassroots network to view a BBC Panorama documentary exploring antisemitism in the UK.
What unfolded was more than a programme.
It was a shared space of reflection, frustration, solidarity and, for many, recognition.
Participants joined from across the UK and internationally London, Greater Manchester, Israel, Jerusalem, Sweden, Ireland. What became clear very quickly is this:
Antisemitism is not theoretical. It is shaping how Jewish people live their lives, every day.
What the Documentary Highlighted and What It Missed
The programme explored:
- The sharp rise in antisemitism since October 2023
- The role of social media in amplifying hate
- The normalisation of hostile and dehumanising language
- Concerns around public safety, protests, and policing
- The emotional toll fear, anxiety, exhaustion
However, many watching felt it did not go far enough.
It felt, in parts, too cautious for the scale of the issue.
Too limited in unpacking the depth, history, and impact of antisemitism.
Too quiet where urgency was needed.
As reflected in the discussion:
“You wouldn’t believe it’s at crisis point by that BBC programme.”
Lived Experience: The Reality Behind the Headlines
The most powerful part of the evening was not the documentary it was the voices in the room.
People spoke openly about:
- A shift in safety—something has changed, and people feel it
- Historical echoes—references to the 1930s made with genuine concern, not exaggeration
- Silencing—Jewish voices dismissed or minimised
- Isolation—and the relief of finding others who understand
- Frustration with institutions—media, government, and systems not keeping pace
One comment captured the urgency:
The rise in antisemitism began immediately after October 7th, before any response, highlighting that hatred exists independently of subsequent events.
Intersectionality Matters: There Is No Single Jewish Experience
To utterly understand antisemitism, we must understand how it is experienced differently across identities.
Jewish Women
- Face gendered antisemitism, including sexualised abuse online
- Often carry community and family safety concerns, particularly for children
- Experience intersection with misogyny, amplifying harm
Jewish Men
- More likely to be visibly identifiable targets (e.g. wearing kippah)
- Experience physical intimidation and violence at higher rates
- Face stereotypes linked to power, control, and conspiracy narratives
Jewish Children & Young People
- Experience bullying in schools and online
- Feel pressure to hide identity or disengage from discussions
- Navigate complex narratives without always feeling safe to challenge them
Older Jewish Adults
- Carry intergenerational trauma, including Holocaust memory
- Experience current events as repetition, not new phenomena
- May feel particularly vulnerable and isolated
Black and Brown Jewish Communities
- Experience racism and antisemitism simultaneously
- Often feel invisible in mainstream narratives
- Face exclusion from both Jewish and wider community conversations
- Are disproportionately impacted by intersectional discrimination
Antisemitism does not operate in isolation it intersects, compounds, and evolves.
The Data Behind the Fear
The wider evidence reinforces what people are feeling:
- Record antisemitic incidents reported by Community Security Trust
- Increased security at schools, synagogues, and community spaces
- Growth in online hate and misinformation
- Behaviour changes self-censorship, reduced visibility, avoidance
This is not just about statistics.
It is about freedom, identity, and belonging.
Why This Matters for All of Us
Antisemitism is often described as a “Jewish issue.”
It is not.
It is a test of our society’s commitment to equality, truth, and safety.
When antisemitism rises:
- Misinformation thrives
- Hate becomes normalised
- Other forms of racism often follow
What Needs to Happen Next
Employers
- Treat antisemitism as a core EDI issue, not an afterthought
- Provide specific training on modern antisemitism
- Act decisively on incidents not just acknowledge them
- Support Jewish staff visibly and consistently
Education (Schools, Colleges, Universities)
- Teach Jewish history, identity, and antisemitism accurately
- Equip staff to manage complex, sensitive discussions
- Create environments where Jewish students feel safe and represented
Communities
- Speak out—silence enables harm
- Build cross-community solidarity
- Challenge misinformation confidently
Media & Public Institutions
- Report responsibly and accurately
- Avoid false equivalence and harmful framing
- Centre lived experience alongside analysis
Summary of the Evening
The watch party was not just about watching a programme.
It was about:
- Connection – people finding each other across cities and countries
- Validation – recognising shared experiences
- Frustration – that the issue is still not fully understood
- Hope – that conversations like this can lead to change
Despite technical issues, what stood out was collective determination.
People stayed.
They engaged.
They cared.
Final Reflection
If a community tells us they feel unsafe, unheard, or marginalised, we must listen.
Not defensively.
Not selectively.
But fully.
Because inclusion is not evaluated when it is easy.
It is evaluated when people say:
“We are not okay.”
And what we do next defines who we are.
So, listen to learn, to understand to empathise and not to minimise people’s lived experiences
Annex: Employer & Senior Leader Checklist
Legal & Policy
- Ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010
- Include antisemitism explicitly within EDI and anti-harassment policies
- Address third-party harassment risks (clients, service users, public)
Culture & Leadership
- Publicly acknowledge antisemitism when it occurs
- Avoid silence—issue clear, values-led statements
- Model inclusive language and behaviour
Workforce Support
- Provide safe, confidential reporting mechanisms
- Offer wellbeing support recognising cultural and religious context
- Engage with Jewish staff networks or representatives
Training & Awareness
- Deliver training on modern antisemitism and intersectionality
- Equip managers to respond confidently and appropriately
- Challenge myths, stereotypes, and misinformation
Risk & Safety
- Assess workplace risks (including online environments)
- Ensure security considerations where relevant
- Monitor incidents and act proactively
Accountability
- Track incidents and outcomes
- Review policies regularly
- Report progress at senior leadership/board level