VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS: A lesson in togetherness
A victory for common sense this week, as the planned neo-Nazi rally was redirected away from Golders Green on public order grounds. Thanks are due to the incredible efforts of organisations and individuals, including the London Jewish Forum, the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council, the CST, Campaign Against Antisemitism and MPs Mike Freer and Tulip Siddiq in bringing about the right result.
But why was it so hard to ban in the first place, and why are these static hate-filled demonstrations so different from their mobile kin? We might also reflect on where this leaves free speech. It is not OK to suggest London is being “Jewified” and that the country must rise up to stop the spread. We know what happens when people do that.
But still, what is “extremism” or “race-hate” as we know it today? Should we, for example, apply equal fervour to stopping the demonstrations of those who oppose the state of Israel on the grounds of policy, law, behaviour or the Bible? In short, where does this road lead, and how far down it do we intend to go?
We can take comfort from the involvement of other faiths in opposing this protest. Golders Green Together was supported by churches and mosques, in part because of communal organisations’ interfaith work. If ever there was evidence that this is a time well-invested, this is it.
Long may it continue!
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.
