Reassurance that I'm not crazy

[ScaredMamaLondon]

Hello,
I am a Jewish mum of two small children.
I think I'm posting on here to get a reassurance that there are some good people in this world. I am terrified to be openly Jewish in this country at the moment and I am terrified for my children's future here. This week I was told by a nanny agency 'it will be very difficult to get a nanny to work for a jewish family'. The security patrolling makes me feel nauseous; my neighbour's son attends a jewish school and was kicked on the bus for his obviously jewish school uniform. We aren't obviously Jewish 'looking' - we are not religious but yet I don't feel at all safe. The pro-Palestinian rally today threw up pictures of burning stars of davids (the antizionism isn't antisemitism thing is basically an excuse for saying what you like about jews and getting away with it). Red paint splattered over local jewish primary schools (again if it's not antisemitism, what do we have to do with it) and on top of all of this, the sinking, dismal feeling that in Israel, the only place as a Jew I would imagine feeling safe, 1300+ civilians were massacred in their beds/kidnapped/gang raped/worse.

I feel sick. I feel we are utterly hated here and unsafe there.

When I see videos of TFL tube drivers joining in with palestinian chants as if its a football anthem and flags of Jihad being waved in London I do wonder if I've missed something here. At the recent vigil for the Israeli victims people stood in silence. Singing. Crying. Praying for peace. And today I witness the complete opposite. I didn't see one mention of peace. I only saw hatred.

Half my family are NHS doctors and surgeons. Teachers. Proud of our Jewishness and proud of our Britishness. Why is it as a Jewish person in the UK i feel so utterly isolated and depressed? Many clients and non jewish friends have sent wonderful messages of support so perhaps it is just the vocal minority but it's a scary one nonetheless.

I can only say that I'm terribly sorry for all of this. The nanny agency comments are difficult to navigate. Do they honestly think that most Nannies are politically motivated?
I would never behave offensively to anyone who is going about their life.
I'm actually shocked that you are experiencing this. Aren't we supposed to be a civilized society?
Politics should not be applicable to everyday human interactions.

THIS ^^

People who use politics as an excuse for toxicity towards others aren't worth your energy OP - it's a very loud minority.

I agree. I'm horrified by the events.

I would never disrespect anyone because of their beliefs. I would never be violent towards someone unless in self defence.

I would always try and help if I saw someone being hurt/abused/insulted for any reason.

I'm so sorry you're scared.

You just realized this? My parents' synagogue in NYC had sharpshooters positioned during the Jewish holidays years ago and education has been permeated by identity politics of the Left. Jews are white-adjacent oppressors.
The only good news is US universities are now scared of donors who publicly announced they won't give them large donations or any $ anymore and firms are firing out antisemite workers.
English Jews need to stop being meek and get aggressive. It's not the average person, who is fine and decent, who is the problem; It's the elite left , fascist right and learned ethnic antisemitism.

It's difficult for people to separate a large group of individuals (eg Jews or Palestinians) from the people purporting to act on their behalf (eg Hamas or the ultra rightwing parties keeping Netenyahu in power).

I am so sorry that you are suffering this hatred and bigotry, @ScaredMamaLondon.

That comment from the nanny agency is chilling. What an awful thing to say. I'm so sorry to hear you are dealing with this.
I'm Christian and I remember when I was a teenager and a student I used to babysit regularly for a local Jewish family who had three lovely little girls. It was my favourite student job and I still feel a bit nostalgic for it.
The idea that someone could reject a job as a nanny looking after kids because of that families' ethnic/religious background is mind-blowing and so offensive.
There is absolutely some very ugly antisemitism on the hard left and in the far right in this country and it needs to be called out for what it is.
Hope you are ok 🙏

I am so sorry and horrified at the antisemitism you and your loved ones are enduring and that you are feeling unsafe in Britain. I do agree with you and your observation that generally speaking those standing alongside Israeli victims did so peacefully and with dignity and honour to the lost lives - yet those marching through UK's streets, who are not condemning Hamas for being murderous terrorists whose mission is to wipe Jews from the face of the earth, are significantly less peaceful.

My heart is with the Israeli peoples who just want to be left alone to live their lives in peace in a tiny area of the world, and it is also with the innocent Arab peoples who are being forced to live with the consequences of being ruled by Hamas.

I’m so sorry you and other Jewish people in Britain (and around the world) are being targeted like this. I feel sick to my stomach that somehow we are sitting back and allowing the rise of anti semitism again.

Anyone burning the Star of David should be sought out by police and charged with a hate crime.. Can you imagine if people were burning pictures of Mohammed or crosses?

yes there is a vocal majority (most of whom have little to no understanding of the situation. They will be the sane people who turn up to every March, every protest about anything left or far right leaning.

But please know you have friends here.

My friends, family and I are with you and are willing to stand up and be counted. Stay strong, my friend!

I'm sorry you are frightened.

I'm not Jewish but when I saw the video of the tube driver I was chilled, really chilled, so I can't imagine how you are feeling. I don't really understand how this, and events at the march are allowed. Why is the government so frightened of some sections of society. Why is hate allowed when it's directed at Jewish people or women. I am really sorry.

I’m a Muslim and would like to give you a big warm hug and say sorry you feel unsafe, unwanted, fearful. And that your child too is also put in that position.

OP I'm really sorry this is happening
some thoughts
The nanny agency surely was breaking the law (Equality Act)
Many people - the famous silent majority - would be horrified by what you are saying - but have the luxury of staying silent because they are not affected. This is dangerous, we cannot stand by and let this happen.
There are people (like me) who are horrified at the Hamas massacre, and their use of civilians as a shield, and who unequivocally condemn them, we also unequivocally condemn the way the Israeli government have treated Palestinians over the years and especially the blockade of Gaza BUT have nowhere to publicly voice this- because of the vile antisemitism displayed at the protests.