Ronson: ‘We are not a community in crisis – we are thriving’
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
The CST’s chair has said it “infuriates” him when “some Israelis and Americans tell us that there is no future for this community” writes Justin Cohen.
In a passionate address to guests at the charity’s annual dinner, Gerald Ronson highlighting the threats facing Anglo-Jewry but urged community members to refuse to be defined by hatred against anti-Semitism.
“Look at everything we have built in the last ten years – the schools, the community centres, the old age homes and the new synagogues. You all play a part in that, donating to charities, giving your time.
“That is why it infuriates me when some Israelis and Americans tell us that there is no future for this community, and when they even dare to imply that we simply take it all lying down. This is not a community in crisis, actually it is a thriving community – but it is a critical time for this community.”
Ronson hailed the heroism of Muslim shop worker Lassana Bathily during the attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris and pledged that CST “always has and always will” vwork with Muslims fighting anti-Semitism and extremism.
“But it is also correct to say that levels of anti-semitism in Muslim communities in Britain, France and elsewhere is far too high. It is correct to say their belief in scapegoat conspiracy theories about Jews, Zionists and Israel are not only ridiculous, but frankly deranged.
“It is correct to demand that people stop talking about anti-Semitism and Islamophobia as if they are two sides of the same coin. Above all, it is correct to say that Jihadi terrorism poses a serious threat to the life and limbs of Jews and all Western countries.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
