🔗 Share this article

“They attempted to slay us. They did not succeed. Let’s dine,” remarked Andrew Walters.

That traditional Hebrew saying feels especially relevant in this urban area amid present-day dangers.

For the representative, the witty statement captures the strong character that marks his traditional Jewish neighbourhood.

This lively district was singled out by an Islamic State undercover group, whose scheme to “kill as many Jews as possible” in a rampaging firearms attack was thwarted. Two suspects were convicted this week on terror-related offences.

Neighbourhood Solidarity and Everyday Challenges

According to Walters, the disrupted plot has not weakened the community’s commitment to get on with its wider community. “A colleague of mine is a practising Muslim and we have an excellent relationship,” said the financial advisor. “You find good and bad in any group. The vast majority just want to live in harmony.”

The plotters viewed the Hebrew population solely through the narrow lens of antisemitism.

They showed no curiosity in the diverse ways of life, incomes, religious practice and opinions within Greater Manchester’s Jewish communities, nor in the urgent challenges like financial hardship that affect many UK areas.

Michelle Ciffer Klein runs a children and families centre that aids hundreds of families, including large strictly observant families and some Muslim women. The service delivers parenting support, clinics, guidance, educational programs, and vital food and debt support.

“Those looking in believe the biggest issue is security – that’s rubbish,” the director said. “Naturally we’re concerned and we reflect, but the women I work with are struggling to manage with day-to-day lives, stress and many children. We are here to help.”

“Inflation – specialist food is very costly – energy bills, families who can’t afford milk and nappies, accommodation, welfare issues – these are what I’m dealing with.”

Increased Vigilance and Strong Resolve

Despite these pressures, two common themes have strengthened under pressure. One is a clear shift “in favour of neighbourly unity and involvement,” as noted by a recent community study institute. The other is a culture of vigilance on a level unseen in most UK suburbs.

“We can respond to an incident in two minutes,” said the head of a local civilian patrol group that exchanges intelligence with authorities.

“The feeling is certainly strained,” they added. “There has been a massive rise in calls to our 24-hour helpline about suspicious activities.”

Nonetheless, Walters stated that the observant communities, among the most rapidly expanding in Europe, did not live in fear. “We cherish life,” he said. “And we believe that if we die, we’re going to a a higher place. We decline to be frightened.”

Wider Backdrop and Calls for Measures

Other leading community figures contend that considerably more must be done to tackle the threat of radical ideology.

While data show that cases with explicit far-right motivation exceeded those linked to radical Islamist views last year, the most serious plots in the past few years have been perpetrated by individuals inspired by extremist ideology.

“A major part of our work on the safety side is trying to detect and prevent malicious reconnaissance of Jewish targets that would precede an incident,” said a security director from a safety trust.

They pointed out a series of terror-related and antisemitic activity originating from suburbs north of the city, leading to questions about the particular dynamics in that region.

Recent tragic events abroad have coincided with Hebrew holidays and commemorations, amplifying a feeling of global unease.

Assessment on a Shifting Era

Some leaders argue that a post-Holocaust understanding has shifted.

“From a British perspective, there was an view there was a time of acceptance in terms of post-Holocaust awareness of what antisemitism is,” said a spokesperson for a civic body. “In my view that viewpoint is starting to be seen as excessively hopeful.”

They continued, “This is not to say we think this time is any more risky than any of those times before, but that there’s no sense of security that troubled times won’t come back.”

There is acknowledgement of the hard work being done within Islamic communities to dispute radical narratives, though mainstream voices can feel intimidated.

Appeals have been made for the authorities to introduce a new extremism strategy, with an emphasis on addressing the doctrinal challenge presented by extremism, distinct from religion or people.

Defiance and Optimism

However, against the backdrop of security threats, a thread of joyful resilience characterises even solemn events.

“In London to mark an solemn date, the conversation turned to the recent local attack,” a spokesperson recounted. “Unplanned, at the end, a performer started playing Jewish tunes and people started dancing. That is the hopeful side.”

“But I would be lying if I said those serious conversations about the prospects of Jewish life in this country haven’t been taking place.”