Adam Langleben, the Executive Director of Progressive Britain and former National Secretary of the Jewish Labour Movement, recently shared reflections on the complexities of raising a Jewish child in contemporary Britain. His insights come amid a backdrop of heightened tensions and security concerns within the Jewish community.
On the morning of Yom Kippur, Langleben and his family made the difficult choice to leave their north London synagogue sooner than usual, avoiding lengthy conversations with friends outside. This decision was steeped in the fear stemming from a recent attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester. As they stepped onto the street, they noticed police presence, a reflection of government promises to safeguard their community, a gesture for which Langleben expressed gratitude.
Security and Education: A New Normal
Langleben’s son attends a Jewish day school that has maintained a constant security presence and, at times, a significant police presence over the past two years. For Langleben, this situation underscores what it means to raise a Jewish child in Britain in 2025. The police outside the school have become so commonplace that his son has never questioned their existence.
The Community Security Trust (CST) plays a vital role in protecting British Jews against antisemitism and terrorism. This charity trains volunteers to guard synagogues, schools, and community centers while managing government funding for the protection of Jewish establishments. Langleben himself has volunteered with CST, donning a stab vest and standing guard at synagogues, illustrating the tangible threats that have persisted over decades.
Changing Social Climate
For many British Jews, including Langleben, the tragic events witnessed in Manchester were anticipated—a grim reality that has been expected given the rising levels of antisemitism. The environment has become increasingly toxic, characterized by frequent protests and hostile rhetoric directed at the Jewish community. Langleben notes a pervasive feeling among Jews that a significant threshold has been crossed in British society.
“Antisemitism is not just another prejudice. At its core it is a conspiracy theory — the oldest one: the belief that Jews, collectively, are secretly responsible for the world’s ills.”
The continual pro-Palestinian protests have fostered an atmosphere of intimidation, blurring the distinctions between legitimate protest and communal harassment. While some slogans may be viewed by the majority as expressions of support for Palestinian liberation, for a minority, they become a rallying cry for violence against Jews worldwide. This normalization of hostile language has raised concerns about its implications for Jewish safety.
Langleben emphasizes that the consequences of reckless speech extend beyond the Jewish community, impacting all minority groups vulnerable to hate. The responsibility does not solely lie with those who harbor malice; it extends to protest organizers who must ensure that their gatherings do not become a front for hate speech and intimidation.
A shift in perspective is necessary. While free speech is a cornerstone of democracy, it comes with the obligation to ensure that such freedoms do not infringe upon the rights of others to live free from fear and harassment. In today’s polarized society, the right to safety for all citizens—whether Jews, Muslims, Black, Asian, or LGBTQ+ individuals—must be prioritized.
Ultimately, this dialogue does not advocate for the prohibition of protests but calls for the establishment of clear boundaries regarding acceptable conduct in public discourse. Ensuring that speech and assembly, even if lawful, do not compromise community safety is paramount. This entails a collective responsibility to monitor and regulate language, especially from leaders whose words can have significant ramifications.