“They attempted to murder us. They were unsuccessful. Let’s have a meal,” stated Andrew Walters.
That age-old Jewish joke feels particularly significant in Greater Manchester amid present-day dangers.
For the representative, the humorous quip sums up the resilient character that characterises his Orthodox Jewish population.
This vibrant neighbourhood was singled out by an IS sleeper cell, whose plot to “kill as many Jews as possible” in a marauding gun incident was foiled. Two suspects were convicted this week on terror-related crimes.
Neighbourhood Unity and Daily Challenges
In the words of the councillor, the foiled scheme has not diminished the community’s desire to get on with its wider community. “My business partner is a religious Muslim and we have an excellent relationship,” said the father of nine. “There’s good and bad in any society. The vast majority just want to live in harmony.”
The extremists saw the Hebrew population solely through the distorted view of antisemitism.
They showed no curiosity in the wide-ranging ways of life, financial situations, levels of observance and opinions within Greater Manchester’s Jewish populations, nor in the serious issues like financial hardship that affect many UK areas.
Michelle Ciffer Klein runs a children and families centre that helps hundreds of families, including large ultra-Orthodox families and some Muslim women. The hub provides mother and baby groups, clinics, advice services, educational programs, and vital financial and material support.
“Outsiders think the biggest issue is safety – that is not true,” she said. “Naturally we’re sad and we reflect, but the women I work with are finding it hard to cope with daily routines, pressure and many children. We don’t judge.”
“The cost of living – kosher food is very costly – utility costs, families who can’t afford basic essentials, housing, welfare issues – these are what I’m dealing with.”
Heightened Vigilance and Unbroken Resolve
Despite these challenges, two unifying themes have strengthened under pressure. One is a clear shift “in favour of community solidarity and involvement,” per a major policy research organisation. The other is a culture of vigilance on a level rare in most UK suburbs.
“We can get to an situation in two minutes,” said the leader of a Jewish neighbourhood watch group that shares intelligence with police.
“The feeling is certainly anxious,” they continued. “There has been a significant rise in calls to our 24-hour hotline about suspicious activities.”
Nonetheless, the councillor stressed that the observant communities, among the fastest-growing in Europe, did not live in fear. “We embrace life,” he said. “We have faith that if we die, we’re going to a a higher place. We decline to be frightened.”
Broader Context and Appeals for Measures
Other leading community figures contend that considerably more must be done to tackle the risk of Islamist extremism.
While statistics show that cases with clear far-right ideology exceeded those linked to radical Islamist views last year, the most serious plans in the past few years have involved Islamist extremists.
“A big part of our work on the safety side is trying to detect and disrupt malicious surveillance of Jewish targets that would come before an incident,” said a policy head from a safety trust.
They added a pattern of terrorism and anti-Jewish activity coming from towns north of the city, prompting questions about the particular factors in that region.
Recent events abroad have occurred with Jewish holidays and commemorations, amplifying a feeling of global concern.
Reflection on a Shifting Paradigm
Some figures suggest that a post-Holocaust assumption has shifted.
“Historically in Britain, there was sort of view there was a time of acceptance in terms of post-war understanding of what anti-Jewish hatred is,” said a spokesperson for a Jewish leadership body. “I think that perspective is starting to be seen as overly naive.”
They added, “It’s not that we think this time is any more risky than any of those times before, but that there’s no complacency that dangerous times won’t recur.”
There is recognition of the efforts being done within Muslim communities to dispute extremist narratives, though moderate voices can feel intimidated.
Calls have been made for the authorities to publish a new extremism plan, with an emphasis on confronting the ideological threat presented by extremism, distinct from faith or individuals.
Resilience and Hope
However, against the context of security threats, a note of joyful resilience permeates even sombre events.
“During a commemoration to mark an anniversary, the discussion turned to the Manchester attack,” a spokesperson recounted. “Spontaneously, at the end, a performer started playing traditional tunes and people started celebrating. That is the positive spin.”
“But I would be lying if I said those grave debates about the future of Jewish life in this country haven’t been continuing.”
