OPINION: I see the challenges facing British Jews but also our resilience
Finchley and Golders Green MP and Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services Sarah Sackman reflects on her past week in the North London constituency
They say a week is a long time in politics. Well, last week was quite a week but perhaps not for the reasons you might expect.
Forget the intrigue and tumult of the Westminster bubble – three moments in my working week as MP for Finchley and Golders Green taught me about the challenges facing British Jews but also about our resilience and place secure in British society.
My week began with a late visit on a Sunday night, to see Rabbi Hager at his synagogue after his community had suffered an appalling antisemitic attack.
The attack – one of a spate of vile incidents across Golders Green, which targeted shuls, a Jewish primary school and a nursery – is something many of us could never have imagined in London in 2025.
The Police sprung into action and arrested the individual responsible just before Shabbat. He was on Monday with religiously aggravated crimes.
At Hagers’, prayers, study and communal celebrations continued uninterrupted – showing true resolve.
Meanwhile the police joined my visit to Menorah Primary and I joined them on their ‘beat’ on Golders Green Road. I know times are tough but their actions and empathy demonstrated to me the way our Police, CST and Shomrim, stand with us day in, day out.
The second moment came when I hosted the Union of Jewish Students in Parliament. The event brought together 70 student leaders from campuses across the country from Loughborough to Leeds. These students inspired me.
As UJS’s President, Louis Danker, said – “we are not just leaders of tomorrow, but leaders of today”. Whether it’s hosting Friday Night Dinners, Booze for Jews or demanding more of Vice Chancellors to ensure Jewish students are safe at university, these young people show a resilience and optimism we can all learn from.
Finally, I ended my week at the annual Shabbat civic service, led by Rabbi Michael at the Muswell Hill Synagogue.
Like so many of our diverse Jewish communities, Muswell Hill demonstrated the essence of Torah im derech eretz – valuing our traditions whilst turning our gaze outwards to engage and contribute to the wider community. The service was addressed by the local Mayor, leaders of other faiths, and the local Police. A picture of modern London with Jews respected and at its heart.
As we head into the new year we face challenges aplenty – the devastating situation in Gaza, the plight of the hostages, the rise of extremism in our politics at home – but the week that was gave me reasons to hope. We have strong allies, institutions who care and which protect us, and a defiance and resilience which defines our community.
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