Security becomes a daily fact of life for UK Jewish communities
When a Manchester synagogue was attacked last week, the incident crystallized a chilling truth: for Britain’s roughly 300,000 Jews, high security has become a deep-rooted, ongoing norm. A 78-year-old volunteer security guard alerted police as the assailant rammed the gates with a car and then attacked worshippers with a knife. Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz were killed, and three others were seriously injured. In the wake of such violence, Jewish communities say protection is not a temporary measure but a permanent obligation.
Community-driven security: a long-standing response
Across synagogues, schools, and community centers, volunteers and private guards have long formed the first line of defense. The attack underscored how much of this security relies on community members who step up to protect their neighbors. In Heaton Park, members regularly work shifts with the Community Security Trust (CST), and many carry stab-proof vests as a routine precaution. The CST has become a nationwide partner with police, helping safeguard Jewish buildings and events through training, patrols, and rapid response coordination.
CS T and police partnership: a practical security infrastructure
Director of policy at CST, Dave Rich, explains that police resources alone cannot cover every target. The CST’s collaboration with local forces creates a security infrastructure that has persisted for years and expanded in response to rising antisemitism. In Greater Manchester, for example, police patrols have been “very significantly” stepped up, though officials acknowledge the cadence cannot be sustained indefinitely. The model—local volunteers, security professionals, and law enforcement working in tandem—has become a cornerstone of safeguarding the Jewish community across the UK.
Local leadership and resilience in the face of fear
Community leaders are urging a stronger government response beyond additional layers of security. Marc Levy, head of Greater Manchester’s Jewish Representative Council, notes that fears have often been acknowledged but not adequately addressed in policy. Yet the message from many rabbis and lay leaders is one of steadfast resilience. Rabbi Daniel Walker urged his congregation to respond not with surrender but with resolve: “We are not cowed. We always rebuild. We always recover.” Senior rabbis, including Jonathan Wittenberg of the Masorti movement, echoed that Judaism endures beyond violence and fear.
Personal stories reflect the human cost and the choice to stay
For some families, the attack has intensified questions about safety and belonging. A mother described a conversation with her daughter about whether it is safe to remain in the UK Jewish community. The reply was bittersweet: a reminder of a classic Hebrew song that speaks to resilience in the face of fear. For others, the response is unequivocal. Raphi Bloom from Manchester asserted, “We’re not going anywhere, we’re not Jews with trembling knees, we are proud Mancunian Jews.”
Moving forward: courage, community, and civic partnership
The spike in antisemitic incidents since the Hamas attack in October 2023 has tested communities but also spurred positive changes: more people volunteering to join CST, increased vigilance, and a clearer call for institutional and governmental action. As authorities balance security with civil liberties, Jewish leaders emphasize that safeguarding is a collective task that requires sustained investment, training, and community-led resilience.
What this means for the future
- Continued CST-police collaboration and expanded community training
- Increased emphasis on rapid decision-making and door security at shuls and schools
- Policy actions from government to address root causes while backing protective measures
The UK Jewish community’s experience shows that security is not an emergency response but a way of life shaped by vigilance, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to safety for all its members.
