Chanukah Message 5786 from the President
As we look forward to this Festival of Lights we do so while both reflecting on dark times over the past year but also looking forward with renewed hope.
In the coming year we are looking forward to spreading light with the first ever Jewish Culture Month, building on our interfaith initiative, the Optimistic Alliance, our heritage plaque scheme and Civic Shabbat initiative.
Our community has continued to face challenges and anxiety. We have seen a rise in antisemitism after the attacks of 7th October 2023, culminating in the sickening terror attack on Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur.
Despite these many challenges, I have seen extraordinary strength. From Manchester to Glasgow, Cardiff to London, I have spent time with proud and flourishing Jewish communities.
We – the Jewish people – have resilience in our DNA.
Since my election as Board of Deputies President last year, we have identified five priorities for building a brighter future for our community and we have significant achievements in each area:
Fighting antisemitism: The Commission on Antisemitism – backed across our political parties – is a review of anti-Jewish discrimination across public and professional life co-chaired by political heavyweights Lord John Mann and Dame Penny Mordaunt. They have produced a powerful report filled with practical recommendations. Our advocacy has led to a change in the law which will push protests away from our synagogues. In the aftermath of Heaton Park Terror attack, the Jewish community has presented the Government with priorities for comprehensive strategy to tackle antisemitism. We need action, not just words, to keep our community safe.
Standing up for peace and security in Israel and the Middle East: We campaigned tirelessly for the hostages with weekly vigils in Westminster and Edinburgh and our Adopt a Hostage scheme and campaigns at Chanukah and Pesach. We rejoiced when the living hostages returned home and mourned with the families of the bereaved. We never want to see another 7th October, or experience years like the last two we have had, so we are working constantly to ensure our community’s hopes for lasting peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider Middle East are heard by governments in the UK, Israel, across the region and beyond.
Defending our religious freedoms: Ensuring that our religious freedoms are protected is fundamental to us all. Our revised Employer’s Guide to Judaism is helping Jews struggling against discrimination in the workplace and we are working with other faith communities to have Judaism classified by government as an ethnicity as well as a religion, which will help ensure the protection of Jewish rights in all fields.
Making our community more united, inclusive, and outward-looking: I fulfilled my pledge to visit Jewish communities in every nation and region in the UK within my first year of office. Within weeks of my election, I launched with Muslim communities the Optimistic Alliance to tackle anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hatred; challenge extremism; support mainstream voices; and to defend shared religious freedoms. In the wake of the Heaton Park attack, many of our Muslim partners reached out in solidarity against the shared threat of extremism. Next year, we will launch a new Commission on Disability Inclusion, to make our community as accessible and inclusive as possible to all.
Celebrating our faith, heritage, and culture as British Jews: In 2026, we will have our first British Jewish Culture Month – an uplifting celebration of our history, arts and our contributions to society, economy and culture. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate who we are, where we have come from and to share our unique heritage. In short, we need Less Oy, and More Joy!
Wishing you and your families a happy and peaceful Chanukah
Phil Rosenberg
President
Board of Deputies of British Jews