Why many young British Jews are fighting the “need to hide” in the face of antisemitism
Young British Jews are proud of their identity
Images by Erin Waks
By Erin Waks
Recent CST statistics have shown an increase in antisemitic incidents in the UK in the last year, both online and in-person. What impact does this have on young British Jews and their religious and cultural identity?
Young Jewish people across the UK are no strangers to antisemitism. From graffiti painted on synagogues and other buildings, to hate speech plastered across social media, anti-Jewish sentiment is ever-present in Britain - and shows little sign of slowing down.
The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats, recorded 786 anti-Jewish hate incidents nationwide in the first half of 2022, the joint-fifth-highest total ever reported to CST between January and June in any year. But this is not the only worry for the Jewish community, as antisemitism is particularly prevalent amongst the student population.
In May 2022, the National Union of Students began an independent investigation into recent allegations of antisemitism within its culture. The report was released on 12th January 2023, and the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) called it "damning". Led by Rebecca Tuck KC, it provides details into the antisemitism rife within the NUS, as well as an action plan of how it plans to tackle this worrying trend. It cites one student, who received a tweet from an officer from another university saying: “Enjoy the sweet taste of a dead baby’s blood in that coke you’re loving”. Referring to the antisemitic blood libel – the notion that Jews use the blood of babies or young children to make matzah, a kind of unleavened bread that is eaten at Passover – the tweet is far from the only example of antisemitic incidents recorded across the UK, be it within the NUS or externally.
Data from CST
Infographic by Erin Waks
One member of the Radlett Jewish community, Rob Rabinowitz, recalls incidents he experienced during his childhood: “When I was growing up in Liverpool, there were episodic expressions of antisemitism. I remember getting money thrown at me. I remember once someone in the centre of Liverpool calling me a fascist. I remember people mocking me a couple of times, people mocking me because of the Holocaust.”
Reports of antisemitism are widespread and varied. In the wake of Kanye West’s recent comments made on Twitter, Kezia Blakely, the Youth Leader of Radlett United Synagogue and a teacher at a Jewish school, is concerned about rising hate speech present across social media.
Kezia discussed the problems facing Anglo Jewry, referencing “antisemitism amongst other things, and the impact that has on campus especially.” And it is not necessarily the most religious Jewish students who suffer the most. In many cases, Kezia argued, it is the students who view their religion as part of their cultural identity who face the repercussions.
She said: “If you are religious, it's very obvious, because you wear a kippah or you wear a skirt or whatever it is that makes you stand out as religious.”
But Kezia explained: “For Jews who aren't necessarily religious but are culturally Jewish and proud of their Judaism, it's part of their identity, they feel more attacked by it and have to hide that part of them - because it's much easier to hide.”
Since less religious Jews may not wear outward signs of their religion, as Kezia explained, they often feel the need to hide their Judaism from others, in a bid to avoid being the target of hate speech - “people are embarrassed and they feel like they need to hide it,” she explained.
President of Durham University Jewish Society Sophie Wimborne echoed this, revealing that she even debated leaving her current role within the Durham Jewish community out of her CV while applying for jobs.
“A lot of people are not wanting to engage, wanting to keep their Judaism under wraps,” Sophie added, saying: “It might not be something that you are so loud and proud about.
“Sometimes, I don’t want to be that person always talking about being Jewish, and then other times, it’s a really important part of my cultural identity, and I think that’s something people don’t always understand - that is also a cultural identity, not just a religious identity.”
Sophie went on to explain: “Quite a lot of British students find it hard to call out antisemitism. I think a lot of people think that there is a stigma around it, that they are being overly sensitive. I think that is because a lot of it is microaggressions and ways that people don’t always realise they are being antisemitic.”
So what is the real effect antisemitism, in all its forms, is having on the young British Jewish population?
The impact differs from one person to another. Rebbetzen Chana Hughes said: “I've heard experiences from young people who are thinking several times about whether they disclose their identity, where they wear Jewish symbols.”
On campus and in the workplace, many young British Jews are faced with difficult decisions regarding their religious and cultural identity - often the direct result of the antisemitism they, or their peers, have faced. While some choose to share their Judaism with others, many opt to hide this identity, in fear of the consequences they may face if they speak publicly about their religion.
What is clear, though, is that many British Jews are proud of the role Judaism plays in their lives, both as their religion and as an important part of their cultural identity. Young Jewish people across Britain are still sharing their experiences, often making tough choices in order to do so. While antisemitism remains present, it will continue to have consequences, particularly on young British Jews - but not enough to silence them entirely.
All video, photography and infographics are by the author, unless otherwise credited
