How seriously are you thinking about leaving the UK?

[Northwentsouth]

And where are you considering going?

We are seriously mulling over whether to make a move to Cyprus. Israel is just so expensive 😫

It's all so sad. This country has been home to my family for 3 generations, but it feels like darkness is descending.

I immigrated 'to' the UK almost 20 years ago so we aren't going anywhere. The only options for us (based on citizenships) are places that don't feel like options really. It's all so sad.

I don’t know but I did have a serious conversation with my husband about it.

@PurpleThistle7 and @BakedAlaska12 , it's tragic really. All I've ever known is this country. It's always felt so safe, for jews and non jews alike.

Tbh, I dont know anyone in my circle who isn't considering either aliyah or a move elsewhere.

I’m limited to Israel as an option. No other passport / visa at the moment. My family have been here since the 1880s and I’m genuinely feeling betwixt and between. I don’t know what to do.

@BrinkWomanship I know what you mean. It's a huge thing to think about, let alone action.

My grown up children are here (although I feel at least one would probably make the move with us if we did go). My elderly parents are here. My friends, cousins...

I really don’t want to but I worry about leaving it too late. I really don’t want to move to Israel but I don’t know what other countries would be safe. Does anyone have any suggestions?

@NoFutureHere , depressing, isn't it? As I said, I don't know anyone who isn't thinking this way.

I'm also interested to hear other suggestions, apart from Israel.

Well I was born in Israel, grew up in the states and moved to Scotland 20 years ago so I don’t see a lot of options for us. We won’t go back to the states and moving to Israel is complicated.

(We actually looked into it about 10 years ago but as I wouldn’t be making aliyah as a returning citizen and my husband isn’t Jewish - but neither of us speak Hebrew - my parents are American - we fall in between a lot of the support structures so it wasn’t an option for us. Now it’s really too late as our kids are older)

even if we could sort out a visa or some sort I don’t think anywhere in Europe is better, Australia anecdotally worse, and we do have a support system here.

@PurpleThistle7 how are things in Scotland? I'm in England and we hear there is a lot of antisemitism in Scotland. I know the Celtic games have been very problematic.

If you were to move to Israel, would your non jewish husband be able to go with you? Would he have to do an ulpan of some kind?

I agree with you regarding Australia - I've heard the same.

I've heard that Cyprus is receptive to Jews and Israelis, which is where my interest has been piqued.

We aren’t going anywhere, we are settled and the kids are happy here. We were in Cyprus on holiday last year and there were loads of Israelis everywhere and we didn’t see any trouble. Was nice to be surrounded by Hebrew!

It was so long ago when we looked but it was (then anyway) a logistical nightmare. I wouldn’t qualify for the support they offer to people making aliyah but I’d have needed the support as I left Israel before I was 2. I believe my husband would have been fine to come with me but there was some complication I can’t quite remember. Basically it was all too much so we stayed in Scotland.

There’s been a lot of marches and graffiti and unpleasant interactions. I’ve stopped wearing my Jewish star in public as I’m just too scared. My daughter had some bullying in primary and was physically blocked into a hallway by children shouting Free Palestine last year during her first year of high school. My children are the only Jewish children at their schools (primary and secondary) and everyone knows they’re Jewish as the primary school has been amazing at inviting them to share and participate in different ways. That always felt lovely but now it feels like I’ve put a target on their backs.

@PurpleThistle7 so pleased Cyprus was a positive experience. We are planning on visiting next year to see how we feel initially. It is so sad to even be having to think this way, but it really feels like the UK has lost its way in more ways than one.

Like you, I have stopped wearing my magen david openly. Where we live is very left wing - radically so - and our once lovely, accepting and open minded town has morphed into somewhere I really don't want to live.

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's experiences. Did you get any back up from her school? If not, it might be worth contacting CAA who are excellent in these kinds of situations.

None of us could have foreseen what has happened here - and all we can ever do is the best we can for our children, which is exactly what you did by letting their schools learn about Judaism from you and them. Hugs to you.

We are moving to nz, we’d have liked Israel but dh got two job offers neither of which was there, but one was in nz and that was the better of the two options for us, there was a time where I thought I’d never leave Scotland, but I’m very exhausted by the hatred and I don’t think I will miss it for a second now and we’d both just wanting a fresh start