Security becomes a daily reality for UK Jewish communities
When a Manchester synagogue was attacked last week, it underscored a harsh truth that has increasingly defined Jewish life in the United Kingdom: high security is a fact of life. A 78-year-old volunteer security guard raised the alarm, and community volunteers alongside private guards held doors to avert a worse outcome as a suspect rammed the gates and struck worshippers with a knife. Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz were killed, and three others were seriously injured. In the hours and days that followed, leaders and volunteers across the country reaffirmed that protection of faith spaces is a shared responsibility.
The long arc of protection: from ritual spaces to security networks
Security at synagogues, schools and other Jewish institutions has for decades depended on a network of community volunteers and professional guards. The scale of that effort expanded dramatically after antisemitic attacks surged in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the Gaza war. Community members have stepped up training, armed with protective gear, and local police cooperation has intensified, creating a safeguarding infrastructure that operates in parallel with formal policing.
What police and community security partnerships look like
Greater Manchester Police’s chief constable, Sir Stephen Watson, described increased patrols but noted they cannot be sustained indefinitely without broader measures. In parallel, the Community Security Trust (CST) coordinates with police to safeguard Jewish institutions across Britain. CST volunteers routinely wear stab‑resistant vests and perform security shifts, often while managing access points and monitoring perimeters. In London and other parts of the capital, Shomrim patrols provide a similar layer of protection in Orthodox communities. As Dave Rich, CST’s director of policy, explains, police alone cannot shield every building, so this partnership creates a resilient security architecture that has evolved over years.
The community’s resolve: balancing fear with faith
Leaders and worshippers are grappling with a difficult question: how to secure communities while maintaining a sense of normal life and spiritual openness. Some say the threat will not vanish, but the response can become stronger without eroding civil liberties. A local rabbi urged resilience, insisting that Judaism’s long history of rebuilding after hardship remains a guiding principle. “Judaism is a deeply resilient religion,” said a senior rabbi from the Masorti movement, while others encouraged congregants to continue gathering to pray, study, and support one another.
Families and individuals: choosing resolve over fear
Personal narratives reveal the human impact. For many, the question of moving away or altering life plans has been met with conviction. In Manchester, a father worried for his safety family reflected publicly on the danger, but the community’s response was to redouble involvement with security work and to reassure younger generations that they belong in their cities. Volunteers, like those at Heaton Park synagogue, describe a culture where high fences and vigilant security are the norm and no longer the exception.
A future shaped by vigilance and public policy
As communities re-evaluate what more can be done, there are calls for a stronger political response to antisemitism. Some leaders argue for expanded government support, while others emphasize empowering local volunteers and strengthening police partnerships. The overarching message from many is clear: a secure Jewish life in the UK is a shared obligation involving faith groups, civil society, and national authorities.
Conclusion: faith, courage and continuity
On the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar, the response has been both defiant and hopeful. Communities are choosing to remain, to rebuild, and to walk forward with the knowledge that security is not a failure of faith but a commitment to protect it. “The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is to have no fear at all,” a mother told the BBC, echoing a sentiment that many in the UK Jewish community hold as they continue to pray, work, and live with purpose.
