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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School trip to Synagogue?

80 replies

hulken · 10/10/2023 12:02

AIBU to email the school to express concern over a Yr6 trip to a synagogue this week?

The synagogue is in a city with a high Muslim population.

I don't usually contact the school about anything and I don't want to be seen as an annoying over-protective parent but I just don't know whether visiting a synagogue in light of all the current troubles is worth the risk - I am aware the risk is very small but would it be better for the school to postpone the trip?

So am I being unreasonable to ask the school if they have considered postponing the trip?

The trip has been planned for a few months and I have paid for it fully expecting my daughter to take part and I know I could not let my daughter go but if I do that, she will have to go into a yr5 class for the duration of the trip (a morning) which she won't enjoy and I don't want to worry her unnecessarily about anything!

I'm concerned I might have just been watching too much news and I am worrying unnecessarily!

OP posts:
MarySmit · 10/10/2023 12:05

The security situation is worrying, and there have been hate crimes on Jews in this country. I can understand your concerns. The school would have done their own risk assessment, which you can discuss with them. If still worried, I would personally keep my child home. This shouldn't have to be the case, by there is currently a rise in anti-Semitic attacks. I would hope everyone would join together in condemning this.

Lamelie · 10/10/2023 12:08

I understand your concerns. But the synagogue will have redone their risk assessments.

Echobelly · 10/10/2023 12:11

YABU - synagogues always have super tight security, they are hard targets which is probably how come we've never seen serious attacks in the UK. Also anyone aggressive isn't likely to attack during the week when a congregation isn't there.

PuttingDownRoots · 10/10/2023 12:14

Honestly.. this seems to be a very apt time to teach religious tolerance.

Has there been any specific unrest in the area?

tttigress · 10/10/2023 12:14

There is a definite rise in anti semitism in the UK.

What does it really say about the UK if you feel you can't send your child on a trip to a synagogue?

It would be an enriching experience for you kid, and the level of security might make them think about what a big problem antisemitism is.

Stichintime · 10/10/2023 12:19

All Jewish schools, synagogues etc have extremely tight security and respond rapidly as threats change.

IslaWinds · 10/10/2023 12:20

The trip isn’t for a few months, so I’d assess closer to the time.

ChannelyourinnerElsa · 10/10/2023 12:21

IslaWinds · 10/10/2023 12:20

The trip isn’t for a few months, so I’d assess closer to the time.

You’ve misread. It’s this week and been planned for months.

HarpieDuJour · 10/10/2023 12:21

Synagogues live with the constant threat of attack, as do Jewish schools. They are excellent at assessing and maintaining security. They have no other choice.

Sadly, there is more than one group who want to harm Jewish people, and s synagogue is probably reasonable safe, because of the constant need to consider this. There was a thread on MN a while ago, about the security levels that Jewish schools have to maintain and it was truly shocking. If you are still concerned, perhaps you could talk to someone at the synagogue?

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 10/10/2023 12:21

This is the best time to be encouraging religious tolerance

Stopping her going will send the wrong message

The school with have done an RA and will have updated it regarding the current situation

dimsumfatsum · 10/10/2023 12:27

So you're worried Muslims will attack the Synagogue? Wow. Any other Islamophobic tripe you want to reel out while you're at it?

LakeTiticaca · 10/10/2023 12:33

dimsumfatsum · 10/10/2023 12:27

So you're worried Muslims will attack the Synagogue? Wow. Any other Islamophobic tripe you want to reel out while you're at it?

But it's not the Jews who are driving around waving Palestine flags and celebrating the killing of women and children, is it?

Coffeerum · 10/10/2023 12:36

I honestly can't see a valid reason why you would be against this.

HeExhibitsNoRestraint · 10/10/2023 12:36

Where is the synagogue? If it is in Israel, then YANBU.

Doveyouknow · 10/10/2023 12:38

I wouldn't even think about it. When was the last terrorist attack in a synagogue in the UK?

CoreopsisEverywhere · 10/10/2023 12:39

YABVU

TattiePants · 10/10/2023 12:41

HeExhibitsNoRestraint · 10/10/2023 12:36

Where is the synagogue? If it is in Israel, then YANBU.

😂

It wouldn't even enter my head to not let my DC go on this school trip. Unfortunately synagogues constantly have to consider their security.

DisquietintheRanks · 10/10/2023 12:44

LakeTiticaca · 10/10/2023 12:33

But it's not the Jews who are driving around waving Palestine flags and celebrating the killing of women and children, is it?

Show quote history

Well it's not "the Muslims" either is it? There are a lot of Muslims in the UK, many (most) of whom have little or no interest in what happens in Israel/the occupied territories.

SeulementUneFois · 10/10/2023 12:49

OP,
I'm afraid that you're right to be worried.

While synagogues are targets all the time, a children's school trip would make them more so.

(Look up Beslan as an example where a school was targeted by terrorists).

soddingspiderseason · 10/10/2023 12:51

It's understandable that you have concerns given the vile celebration in some areas of this country of the horrific terrorism in Israel a few days ago. Antisemitism in this country is a very serious and growing problem. But as other posters have said, the Jewish community takes security seriously, for good reason. There will be strong security at the synagogue, and to stop your daughter attending sends the wrong message I think. We should be standing in solidarity with our Jewish community, to show that we will not allow them to be attacked and afraid in this country.

Flying724 · 10/10/2023 12:53

I would speak to the school and the synagogue then decide to allow her to go or not. Maybe ask if you can volunteer to help the class for the trip if you are available.

possnot · 10/10/2023 12:56

I'm a teacher. I'd ask if the school have redone their risk assessment. As others have said, education around other religions is increasingly important.

SeulementUneFois · 10/10/2023 12:57

OP
This is what I was referring to.
To note that while being a very different situation, there were no public celebrations at the time of various atrocities, unlike what's happening now.

So I would feel that potential attackers are a lot more emboldened now given what looks like the support of their community.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beslan_school_siege

Beslan school siege - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beslan_school_siege

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 10/10/2023 12:59

I would ask the school whether there is a (current) risk assessment.

I would however say that security for synagogues and most Jewish institutions is usually top notch.

Have you ever been to your local shul or Jewish community center? Very security conscious IME.

mindutopia · 10/10/2023 13:01

I'm Jewish and honestly, most synagogues are like iron fortresses. They have very tight security protocol and always have. What has happened this week in Israel and Palestine is horrific, but the threat has always been there and there will have been a risk assessment done both by the synagogue and the school. If the school feel comfortable taking them, then I would feel comfortable. I think it's a really important time for children to engage in open dialogue and also have an appreciation for how others are affected by these (and many other) attacks.