through science (Chain on penicillin),
ethical finance (the Rothschilds)
and the arts (Menuhin), to name but
a few. To write a book on Jewish
contributions to British life would
require multiple volumes, not merely
these few names at the front of
my mind.
As a nation we continue to benefit
from a flourishing and dynamic Jewish
community. It is a privilege of my role
that I am one of the patrons of the
Council of Christians and Jews, who
work tirelessly to educate our nation
on historical issues like antisemitism,
who strive to bring healing to some
of our most divided communities
through social action and who
equip individuals with the language
and skills to engage in meaningful
dialogue with one another. I am also
enormously grateful for a warm and
close relationship with the Chief
Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, whose faith,
wisdom and leadership is a constant
inspiration. It is through building these
genuine friendships that I believe the
discourse will begin to change.
we take a huge step in undermining
the whole tradition of racism in
our society.
All humans are made in the image of
God. Antisemitism undermines and
distorts this truth: it is the negation
of God’s plan for his creation and is
therefore a denial of God himself.
There is no justification for the
debasing and scapegoating of other
people. Antisemitism is the antithesis
of all that our scriptures call us to
be and do, to work together for
the common good and to seek the
flourishing of all.
The challenge for us is to remain
vigilant, to stand together and to
speak out. A historic threat can
be faced today by a society that is
resolute in its defence of its minorities
and confident in its willingness to
confront those who seek to undermine
its foundations of freedom of religion,
equality in law and mutual respect. A
commitment to building a cohesive
and dynamic civic life can be the new,
but this time healthy, contagion.
Antisemitism is not a problem for one
political party, one community or one
sector of our society. It permeates
and pervades all that it touches when
it is swept under the carpet,