Whilst the majority of the Jewish population live in London, Manchester and some of the other major cities, there are a fifth, 20%, of the population, over 50,000 Jews, who do not.
They live in what have become our small communities. And that’s who JSCN works on behalf of… building bridges, enabling individuals and organisations, to access the communities, and supporting the communities in a range of different ways.
JSCN works across the board, from the ultra-Orthodox to the Secular.
And we engage with anyone who needs access to or understating of Jewish life and community.
As the demographics change, communities shrink, and once prominent minorities become invisible.
In a town which once had a Jewish population of 5,000 and now has under 300, Council officers and other public sector workers may no longer have the exposure to the Jewish community they once had.
This lack of familiarity can lead to misunderstandings, insensitivities, and ultimately escalating problems.
ON THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL
Jewish individuals and families tend to be self sufficient.
But its at the point of change or crisis that their Jewish needs come into sharp focus.
It could be…
- Racial intolerance of Jews
- Incidence of antisemitism
- An anti-Israel event
- Welfare
- Social Services
- Mental health
- Elderly Care / Dementia
- End of life needs … the need to stay with the body, plus cooperation of doctors and coroners to facilitate burial within 24hrs
Individuals & families can exist for years without needing to interact with statutory services
…but when they do… they may struggle
because at the point of contact there is a lack of understanding or insight on both sides.
It usually comes at a time when they are most vulnerable
ON THE COMMUNITY LEVEL
When the demographics change so does community life and its physical provisions.
This often means synagogue & community buildings are no longer fit for purpose.
- Buildings may need adapting.
- Older synagogues may be in town centres, and new parking restrictions can strangle community life.
- Elderly care or warden assisted flats may be desirable to be incorporated into what was previously a purely religious building.
- The community will want to move on, sell a building with change of use and planning permission.
- Planning committees and officers may see change as a loss of heritage, and resist. But the Jewish community may not be able to continue without this essential change.
THINGS THAT CAN HELP:
- Keeping an open dialogue with your local Jewish community
- Making sure that consultations occur at the outset
- Ensuring that understandings cascade down to all council officers & other workers
- Implementing Jewish Cultural Awareness training available across your organisation (see below *)
POLITICAL SENSITIVITY
A Local Council may want to express sympathy or compassion to events in the wider world.
- But backing one side may distress and alienate another minority in your area.
- Even worse, it may cause unintended adverse actions and decisions to cascade down through your organisation, as an interpretation of that view.
- Consider a “whole community” response and highlight projects that encourage resolution rather than conflict.
Finally just a few examples of where we’ve been helpful
- JSCN has helped Police authorities incorporate a Jewish perspective in their consultation groups.
- Supported Councils with contacts or information for for Holocaust Remembrance Day
- We regularly match schools with volunteers and professionals who can give talks on Judaism.
- We organise regional meetings so that small communities can meet, collaborate and share ideas.
- We offer an open door to anyone who is drawn to know about Judaism or understand a Jewish perspective.
- And we strive to help the views of small Jewish communities be included in any wider debates and discussions.
* Jewish Cultural Awareness Training is available from a number of specialist providers. Link Training is one example.
The Jewish Manifesto for Local Government is a document prepared by the Board of Deputies for councillors and candidates who wish to serve Jewish residents in their wards and boroughs.
download: Jewish Manifesto for Local Government