VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS: We owe a profound debt of gratitude to the volunteers who keep us safe

You see them whenever you attend a high-profile Jewish event. They are present outside many of our shuls every Shabbat and Yom Tov, and the schools attended by many of our children. We often rush past them, taking them for granted.

Last Thursday we received the worst reminder imaginable about why they are there.

Many hundreds of British Jews, both men and women, have trained to be CST security volunteers for our community. They are, effectively, our first line of defence against the sort of horror we saw on Yom Kippur.

Unpaid, they donate their own time to guard us. And, as we saw last week, these defenders – themselves parents, siblings or children – also put their lives at risk. Among those seriously injured at Heaton Park Shul was a CST volunteer.

In the wake of the Manchester terror attack, more than 300 British Jews have applied to join the ranks of those who defend us. As CST has said, this is “a powerful reflection of the community’s resilience and strength”.

CST has also received a number of donations since last Thursday. Not everyone is in a position to give their time, or their money – but something anyone can give is their thanks.

Don’t just walk by the people who help keep us safe. This week – next week – every week – show them that you appreciate them.

Gratitude costs nothing – but it can mean everything.