School trip to Synagogue?

[hulken]

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!

@LakeTiticaca I ask that you look into Israeli history and the illegal occupation of the West Bank to give you an answer to your question! Pot, Kettle, Black comes to mind.

Those hideous marches in the big cities are extremely concerning, hopefully the government cracks down and stops them entirely it’s absolutely disgusting celebrating such barbarism.

I can fully understand your concerns and if I’m being honest I would be thinking the same as you, but as others have said the security will be tight so perhaps discuss with the school.

When I walk past synagogues and Jewish schools in London, I find the very obvious security quite upsetting. Children should not have to go to school where their playground is protected with razor wire. It's tragic.

So yes, I'd feel a little uneasy about the trip, but mostly be extremely grateful that my own children do not have to go to school every day with that visual evidence of the threat they're under.

Sorry but comparing this scenario any way to Beslan is bonkers. That was 20 years ago, in a different country, where there was zero intelligence or security and in an area that was a disputed territory. You might as well compare it to the Chibok school kidnapping. Risk-wise it is not in the same universe.

The risk during this visit is extremely low:
-The synagogue will have security
-Terrorists are unlikely to target a synagogue midweek when it would usually be empty. Attacks take planning and you get one shot at them. If you were a terrorist, why would you put all your resources into an attack when there might not even be anyone there.
-Terrorists would want to kill Jews, not secular visitors
-Intelligence is a thing in this country, it is probable (though of course not certain) that risk of a major attack would be known
...and so on.

Nothing we do in this life is risk-free, but this is about as low risk as it gets.

I'd be inclined to pull my child out too.
They can learn about synagogues without going to one, and I would think there definitely is a higher risk just now than normal (of course any trip to any religious building isn't risk free). If you feel she needs to at least learn about what the others will be seeing then just keep her home that day and watch some content online.

@dimsumfatsum and some other commenters: there are threads about the situation in Israel, the occupation, human rights issues, the calculated murder of child hostages by hamas, price tag attacks etc. This is not one of them.

IMO: Jewish institutions have a lot of experience dealing with security threats. Whether that is from violent Muslim antisemites, violent Christian antisemites, "regular" neo-nazis and anyone else that wants to harm and kill Jews.

the synagogue is probably safer than your local Christmas market or a music festival. But that is just my point of view.
But I would still ask the school about an updated risk assessment.

I can understand your concerns.

Some Jewish schools have been telling the children they should come to school in clothes that do not identify them as belonging to a Jewish school. They are clearly concerned they could be a target at the moment.

This is a new and changing situation and the trip is this week, so it is understandable that you are worried.

It is definitely important to teach about religious tolerance, but that isn't the issue here - it is about the current and unfolding situation and whether there is now an increased risk.

It is definitely important to teach about religious tolerance, but that isn't the issue here - it is about the current and unfolding situation and whether there is now an increased risk.

@SharpieElephant I completely agree with this sentiment.

Yanbu! If you don’t feel comfortable with your dc going on this trip just don’t let them go. Literally that simple OP.

I 100% would not take the risk at the moment. Not a tiny chance.

@Frodedendron

My point was about the things that are similar to Beslan - the (possible) specific targeting of children.

Also, re what you're saying about terrorist planning, etc. - sometimes there's " lone wolfs", or a small group of them.
Where the idea would have 'hybernated' in their heads, but they could be suddenly emboldened by the public celebrations they'd see as their community's support of such actions.

The synagogue is in a city with a high Muslim population
So it would have made a difference if there wasn't a "high Muslim population"?

Muslim's are not responsible for attacks on synagogues or Jewish property. Some terrorists or extremists, some of whom might claim to follow Islam, might be responsible for some hate crime in the UK - just as our own home-grown non-Muslim extremists and terrorists might be responsible as they exploit the situation.

Those same extremists, whoever they are, might have the common sense to look for less obvious targets, because like all bullies they are afraid to be challenged or called out for their crimes.

If the school and the synagogue have risk assessed it then I would have no problem with such a visit.

Well, it's not the Muslims of Birmingham, Manchester or Bury or wherever the OP lives either, is it?

It’s more important than ever to be teaching about religious tolerance.

as others have said risk assessments will have been done and will have been redone this week. If the synagogue and school weren’t as confident as you can be about safety it wouldn’t be happening.

Don’t be ‘that parent’.

'That parent' who dares to care about her child's welfare and do what she feels is right, regardless of others calling her 'that parent'?

You’re worried about anti-semitism but you’re ok with Islamophobia 🙄. Not every Muslim supports Hamas or are celebrating their attacks on Israel this weekend. 🙄. Pull you DC if you want but don’t blame every Muslim for the actions of Hamas.

With all due respect, as a parent you make the final risk assessment. If your gut says no then I’d go with that.

No other group has a problem with Jewish people.

Surely you don't believe this? Nobody needs a religion to hate Jewish people. People of all faiths and none are capable of hate, and the Jewish community has historically been a popular target.

You are being Islamophobic !!

No other group has a problem with Jewish people.

Wow, you need to do some reading…..

Jewish people have been and continue to be among the most persecuted in history.

I wonder what the synagogue thinks of this. Given the current situation they may wish to keep visits to a minimum too. Speak to the school if you are worried.

Having said that, I would let my kid go on the trip.

Really? You can't think of any group of people whose beliefs entail violence against Jewish people?

None?

The far right make it a hobby, in case you didn't know.

OP I can understand your nervousness about this.

I would try to speak to the synagogue, if possible. They know most about their own security risks and can advise/reassure you of the best course of action.