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The European Jewish Press asked British Jews’ views on how they feel being Jewish today in United Kingdom.
Hilary Tammer, 58, an assistant tax consultant from Leeds, said:
“Being Jewish is an integral part of who I am and how I conduct my life. I am extremely proud to be Jewish and as a British Jew regard myself as fortunate to have the freedom to practice my religion freely.
“I am aware that the statistics point to a shrinking of Jewish communities for many reasons, but I am still convinced that British Jewry will continue to thrive.
“I do not feel any less safe now than say five years ago because I am a Jew, but I do feel less safe generally due to extremist threats which threaten all of us, whatever our religion.
 We should all endeavour to learn something about other religions as ignorance leads to misunderstanding and misunderstanding leads to fear
Hilary Tammer | “I have observed a lot of unjustified bias against Jews and Israel in the media leading to much frustration on my part. This is particularly prevalent on certain TV discussion programmes. However from time to time I have been uplifted to see and read unsolicited praise expressed towards matters Jewish and Israeli.
“On one or two occasions I have personally encountered antipathy directed towards Jews generally and Israel in particular. On these rare occasions I have always spoken up and made my feelings clear.
“Being tolerant is of course a two way street. We should all endeavour to learn something about other religions as ignorance leads to misunderstanding and misunderstanding leads to fear.
“Personally I am always happy to explain about our religious festivals and similarly I am keen to learn about the festivals of other faiths.”
Frazer Lewis, 37, a company director from London, said:
“I’m not religious so being Jewish is not important from that point of view.
“However, I recognise that the rest of the world regard the Jews as a separate race and as far as they are concerned, I’m a Jew.
Nevertheless, however non-Jewish I think I am, I’m still part of the culture whether I like it or not
Frazer Lewis | “I don’t feel any less safe than in the last few years. I feel as safe as anyone else in London - i.e. not very safe since 7 July. I’ve not noticed any bias for or against Jews.
“[I believe British Jewry], will dilute through inter-marriage and diminishing interest.
“I’ve got a mixed attitude towards being Jewish. Not being religious means that much of the ceremony and tradition is lost on me. I couldn’t give my children a Jewish upbringing even if I wanted to - I wouldn’t know where to begin.
“Nevertheless, however non-Jewish I think I am, I’m still part of the culture whether I like it or not and Woody Allen will always make me laugh.”
David Rosenberg*, 30, a lawyer from London, said:
“Being Jewish is very important to me. I believe in it - just the religious side of it. It’s a way of life, it’s a fundamentally good way of life for me. I would call myself Observant, an halachic Jew.
We are very lucky to be here, as opposed to people from France, where there is more intolerance, or Scandinavia, where there is no viable Jewish community
David Frazer | “I think British Jewry has a viable and positive future, but there’s a lack of knowledge [about Judaism] and a lack of education.
“I feel pretty comfortable [here]. I don’t feel impending doom! Certainly in Europe, I couldn’t think of anywhere else that I would feel more comfortable.
“We are very lucky to be here, as opposed to people from France, where there is more intolerance, or Scandinavia, where there is no viable Jewish community.
“It’s a very active and dynamic community in Britain, but it’s also very big and, generally speaking, it’s relatively laissez-faire which is encouraging to people.
“I [do] fear anti-Semitism because we are all brought up with the fear of it, but it’s not something I feel the whole time as a real and present danger.
“I don’t have a problem ordering kosher food or taking early Fridays off [from work] or all the festivals, or walking outside with a kippa, and I’m a very obvious Jew.
“From speaking to other people [in Europe], I think we are easily the best off there. Maybe it’s the environment in which I work, but I find people very accepting.
There are doors open to Jews, they are not pushed away and not generally discriminated against. [Jews] are capable people who can make a contribution to society
David Rosenberg | “I’m not really scared off anti-Semitism, but although I recognise that you can be against the state of Israel and not be anti-Semitic, there [does] seem to be an increasing acceptance of anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. The defining line between them gets thinner and thinner.
“In Britain I think people don’t make an issue out of whether you are Jewish or not — I don’t think it’s the way the British look at things.
“There are doors open to Jews, they are not pushed away and not generally discriminated against. [Jews] are capable people who can make a contribution to society.”
* real name has been changed
Andrew Berg*, 30, foreign exchange trader, from London, said:
“In a country where religion is visibly in decline, I think being a Jew in Britain is more challenging than it has ever been. Finding a balance between religious observance and tradition seems to be a struggle for most people and it is no different for me.
“Recently I decided to explore our religion a bit deeper. I wanted to know more having forgotten much from my childhood. I was surprised to see how welcomed I was.
“But significantly there has been none of the stereotyped ‘brainwashing’ that everyone fears.
Outside the religion things are not so optimistic. But have they ever been? We are struggling against a population that has never been richer and never cared less about religion
Andrew Berg | “I also felt everything had become more accessible with an outlet for every interest imaginable – be it study or social. I think this stems from a change or modernising in the way the religion has needed to adapt as Jewish numbers and communities seem to dwindle. But I’m sticking with it and am very happy to be a Jew in Britain today.
"Outside the religion things are not so optimistic. But have they ever been? We are struggling against a population that has never been richer and never cared less about religion.
“Yet extremism is on the rise and bias in the media is barely even disguised anymore. “Anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise yet never reported outside Jewish press. Furthermore we have celebrities glamorising and parading parts of our religion like it’s a fashion accessory. So I can only guess what a non-Jew must think of our religion as they look in.
“In typical Jewish style, we have learnt to live with these problems in this modern age.
“It is not ideal but Britain is changing too and I believe there is room for everyone in this diverse country of ours.
“Am I proud to be a Jew in England today? The answer is YES.”
* real name has been changed
Marcia Goodman, 63, social work manager, originally from Manchester but now living in London, said:
“Being Jewish is a very important aspect of my life although I am not religiously observant.
"As far as the future is concerned I feel that with the resurgence of modern orthodoxy amongst many young families the community in Britain will continue with similar numbers and similar influence as at present.
Obviously the ever growing numbers of Muslim immigrants into this country will constitute a threat to the security of the Jewish community
Marcia Goodman | “I do not perceive a bias towards Jews in the media but there is certainly a bias against Israel which is to great extent based on ignorance of the historical facts.
“I am fortunate in that I have not personally experienced anti-Semitism but I am aware that many Jews in this country have been the subject of physical and verbal abuse.
“Obviously the ever growing numbers of Muslim immigrants into this country will constitute a threat to the security of the Jewish community.
“The Muslim vote as in Bethnal Green will affect our freedom in spite of our democratic society.”
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