The contribution of the Jewish community to British society

Jonathan Metliss, Chairman of Action Against Discrimination, member of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Chairman of the Board of Deputies Committee on Antisemitism in Sport, Chairman of the Jewish Weekly and Chairman of Axiom DWFM solicitors. Wednesday 04th January 2023 06:14 EST
 

The UK has a long connection with the Jewish community. It was the Norman Conquest that prompted the arrival of Jews for the first time and first records date from 1070.

 

The Jewish community was expelled from England in 1290 by Edward I. Jews were not allowed to return until 1656 under Oliver Cromwell. The 2021 census shows that there are now 271,327 people self-identifying as Jewish people living in England and Wales and the number has risen over the past decade. Jews comprise 0.46% of the population with Greater London accounting for 53.6%.

 

The contribution of the Jewish community (both Ashkenazi from Eastern Europe and Sephardi from Spain and Portugal, who came over in 1656) has been considerable and potent. Jewish people have not only been active in all forms of business, but have been prominent in the professions (law, including the judiciary, accounting, and finance) as well as culture (theatre, media and music), medicine, sport (football and cricket in particular) and politics (being involved in all political parties). Perhaps the most famous Jewish man in politics was Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister from 1874-1880, although he was baptised at the age of 12 when his father joined the Anglican church.

 

There are at least 10 ways that Jewish culture has influenced England and Wales, in no order of priority – fish and chips, bagels, the Yiddish language, the Full Monty, mods, portable music, modernist art, fairtrade, Freud and psychoanalysis and the City with a number of Jewish Lord Mayors.

 

In 2019, the then parliamentary under secretary of state for the housing communities and local government Rishi Sunak, noted that the Jewish people have one of the most enviable records of achievement of any demographic group in the United Kingdom’s history. “Despite only ever forming a small percentage of the population, British Jews have shone in almost every field. They have inspired and entertained created and innovated. They have become our doctors, our philosophers, our inventors, or musicians, our writers, our leaders, our role models, our parliamentarians, and indeed one of our Prime Ministers.” He went on to note the significant contributions made by several Jewish charities, in particular Jewish Care and Norwood.

 

“As the longest established religious minority in the UK, the Jewish people have led the way in demonstrating how to integrate fully and participate in our national life, while retaining our distinct and proud identity.” Indeed, a prayer is said in Synagogue every Sabbath, confirming the allegiance of the Jewish community to the monarch of the day.

 

Sadly, there has been growing antisemitism over the last few years, both in politics from the Labour party and generally in UK society. This is still a major problem, and the incidents of antisemitism are growing. This is being addressed by leading Jewish organisations, the Police and the Government and the Jewish community has to remain watchful.


comments powered by Disqus



to the free, weekly Asian Voice email newsletter