Jewish community in Derbyshire 'living in daily fear'
Derby City Council have approved an action plan to tackle antisemitism
A Jewish community leader says he and other Jews live in constant fear across Derbyshire, with many revealing they feel “unsafe”.
Harry Sassoon, co-ordinator of the Derbyshire Jewish Community group, said it is “tough” living as a Jew in the county and he has to make everyday decisions about his appearance and whereabouts.
The 32-year-old claims he was once physically assaulted over his religion in a “minor” incident last year and also quit his last job over reported anti-semitism.
The community group said a recent survey showed that 93 per cent of Jewish respondents “did not feel completely safe in Derbyshire”.
The group added that many Jewish people in Derby and Derbyshire are “making daily decisions about how openly they express their identity”.
All this comes after a new Derby City Council action plan to tackle anti-semitism was approved.
The authority is to set up a cross-party working group to fully understand the scale of anti-semitism in the city and identify action where needed.
Mr Sassoon, 32, said: “It’s not easy being Jewish these days and social media is a vile cesspit right now.
“I see anti-semitism every day. I left my last job because of anti-semitism – it is tough. It feels like it’s at a whole new level.
“I’m always cautious of my surroundings. I have a Jewish star as a necklace which is hidden when I go out. I experimented the other day with it on and I had some odd looks.”
Feelings of fear within the Jewish community have significantly intensified since the October 7 attacks of 2023 – an event that has been described as the worst ant-isemitic massacre since the Holocaust.
It saw around 1,200 people killed and the taking of 251 hostages in Israel.
Closer to home, a terrorist attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester last year saw two people killed and others injured as well.
The horrific incident happened on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, with the Government calling it an “evil act of anti-semitic terrorism”.
Asked if there was anti-semitism locally, Mr Sassoon said individuals had been chanted at and he himself had been physically assaulted unprovoked.
Mr Sassoon said high levels of security at synagogues and around Jewish schools was a “normal” part of life for the community.
He added: “The Manchester attack was devastating but I wasn’t surprised. The night before I went to a synagogue in Nottingham and there was lots of security there protecting us.
“It has become normal because the level of threat is so high.”
Derby’s new action plan to tackle anti-semtism was proposed by Conservative councillor John Wright.
The Chaddesden councillor said: “Derby is not immune from anti-semitism. The Derbyshire Jewish Community (DJC) has reported increased tension and antisemitism
“The DJC has advocated for more local action in support of a more tolerant and safer environment for all faiths/ethnicities and at this time. More needs to be done and Derby City Council should provide leadership.”
Councillor Sarah Chambers, cabinet member for communities and public safety, said: “I want to state clearly and without qualification that anti-semitism is real, serious and it has no place in Derby.
“We stand in solidarity with Derby’s Jewish community and with Jewish communities everywhere who are experiencing fear, hostility and intimidation.”
The new working group is scheduled to report findings by September.
A statement from Derbyshire Jewish Community group said: “We welcome the cross-party recognition that anti-semitism is real, serious, and has no place in Derby. Public leadership on this issue matters.
“Clear statements from civic representatives send an important message that Jewish residents are valued members of our city and county.”