From Barnet to Big Tech – how London’s Jewish youth are battling antisemitism
Rabbi Samuel Landau in North London spoke out on how Jewish youngsters in London are still growing up with antisemitism.
The rabbi and his youth group were verbally attacked during a treasure hunt in Barnet last week. Rabbi Landau stated that the police supported them through the process but he expressed apathy towards this type of attack.
‘You sort of can feel accustomed to these things happening every so often.’ The Barnet United Synagogue Rabbi explained.
‘I grew up going to school in Central London and was spat at on buses and shouted at from cars.’ He said
‘I’ve been shouted at with my kids walking down the road.
‘But, we transform these things into a sense of Jewish pride.
‘Even if what we represent is can be a source of derision from other people, we can still hold our heads high.
‘The best way is to be open and proud about being a British Jew and to show the best practice of community cohesion.
‘The police took it very seriously and they came to visit.’ He added.
Stained glass Menorah at The Barnet United Synagogue
Rabbi Samuel spoke out when a teenager was arrested in Belsize Park after drawing swastikas on walls, on and around Belsize Avenue.
The residential area of North West London witnessed an incident which quickly threw antisemitism back onto the capital’s news agenda.
‘We do feel supported by the police.’ Rabbi Samuel added.
‘I think the younger generation are experiencing a great knock to their sense of safety and sense of self when it comes to antisemitism.
‘This is an old hatred’ He explained.
The repainted wall in Belsize Park
Similarly, when it comes down to protecting youths online, the greater spotlight is increasingly on ‘Big Tech’ and its growing responsibility to curb racism – and rein in hate speech on the web.
In fact, in 2020 the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) reported that extremists continue to exploit the platform, Tik Tok and share hateful content.
They also say that as antisemitism spreads across the app, much of the content is generated by high profile antisemitic figures.
A recent report by the UK-based anti-racism advocacy group, ‘HOPE not hate’ has revealed that antisemitism is commonly spread through conspiracy theories.
These escalated in 2020 during lockdown and the Pandemic.
And, when the charity, CST (Community Security Trust) released its bi-annual statistics earlier this summer, it showed an enormous spike in antisemitic hate incidents.
1,308 anti-Jewish hate incidents were recorded nationwide in the first half of this year.
This is a 49% increase from the 875 incidents recorded in the first six months of 2020, and is the highest total CST has ever recorded in the first half of any year.
‘We’re running at a very high total to previous years.’ Explains CST Director of Policy, Dave Rich.
‘There has also been an explosion of conspiracy theories online, during the Pandemic.’ He adds.
‘Modern antisemitism involves the conspiracy theory of Jews having hidden power and wealth, in order to manipulate governments.
‘Online, there’s also ‘Zoom bombing’ and ‘Zoom raiding’, which effect Jewish events.’
So how can we move forward and and how can Jewish youths be better protected on and offline?
‘The way to combat antisemitism online comes down to much stricter rules about what kind of speech is allowed to be posted.’ Explains Dave.
‘If we’re to be harsher that has to come through government regulation.
‘Offline, there needs to be more arrests and prosecutions.’
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HeadlineNorth London Rabbi speaks out following antisemitic graffiti
Short HeadlineRabbi speaks out on antisemitism
StandfirstA North London Rabbi has revealed how Jewish youths are coping after antisemitic graffiti was found in the capital.
From Barnet to Big Tech – how London’s Jewish youth are battling antisemitism
Rabbi Samuel Landau in North London spoke out on how Jewish youngsters in London are still growing up with antisemitism.
The rabbi and his youth group were verbally attacked during a treasure hunt in Barnet last week. Rabbi Landau stated that the police supported them through the process but he expressed apathy towards this type of attack.
‘You sort of can feel accustomed to these things happening every so often.’ The Barnet United Synagogue Rabbi explained.
‘I grew up going to school in Central London and was spat at on buses and shouted at from cars.’ He said
‘I’ve been shouted at with my kids walking down the road.
‘But, we transform these things into a sense of Jewish pride.
‘Even if what we represent is can be a source of derision from other people, we can still hold our heads high.
‘The best way is to be open and proud about being a British Jew and to show the best practice of community cohesion.
‘The police took it very seriously and they came to visit.’ He added.
Stained glass Menorah at The Barnet United Synagogue
Rabbi Samuel spoke out when a teenager was arrested in Belsize Park after drawing swastikas on walls, on and around Belsize Avenue.
The residential area of North West London witnessed an incident which quickly threw antisemitism back onto the capital’s news agenda.
‘We do feel supported by the police.’ Rabbi Samuel added.
‘I think the younger generation are experiencing a great knock to their sense of safety and sense of self when it comes to antisemitism.
‘This is an old hatred’ He explained.
The repainted wall in Belsize Park
Similarly, when it comes down to protecting youths online, the greater spotlight is increasingly on ‘Big Tech’ and its growing responsibility to curb racism – and rein in hate speech on the web.
In fact, in 2020 the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) reported that extremists continue to exploit the platform, Tik Tok and share hateful content.
They also say that as antisemitism spreads across the app, much of the content is generated by high profile antisemitic figures.
A recent report by the UK-based anti-racism advocacy group, ‘HOPE not hate’ has revealed that antisemitism is commonly spread through conspiracy theories.
These escalated in 2020 during lockdown and the Pandemic.
And, when the charity, CST (Community Security Trust) released its bi-annual statistics earlier this summer, it showed an enormous spike in antisemitic hate incidents.
1,308 anti-Jewish hate incidents were recorded nationwide in the first half of this year.
This is a 49% increase from the 875 incidents recorded in the first six months of 2020, and is the highest total CST has ever recorded in the first half of any year.
‘We’re running at a very high total to previous years.’ Explains CST Director of Policy, Dave Rich.
‘There has also been an explosion of conspiracy theories online, during the Pandemic.’ He adds.
‘Modern antisemitism involves the conspiracy theory of Jews having hidden power and wealth, in order to manipulate governments.
‘Online, there’s also ‘Zoom bombing’ and ‘Zoom raiding’, which effect Jewish events.’
So how can we move forward and and how can Jewish youths be better protected on and offline?
‘The way to combat antisemitism online comes down to much stricter rules about what kind of speech is allowed to be posted.’ Explains Dave.
‘If we’re to be harsher that has to come through government regulation.
‘Offline, there needs to be more arrests and prosecutions.’
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