Standing Together by Rabbi Sandra Kviat

Spending a good part of yesterday at Wightman Road Mosque was a profoundly inspiring experience. The mosque had invited the Multi Faith Forum and the local communities to an event to raise awareness of Islamophobia, as well as other hate crimes. Representatives from the different faiths came as well as all the other partners  such as the council, the many different police departments who look after us all, the leader of the council, Tottenham Hotspur's youth outreach and more. 

Overall, it was a helpful experience, especially as there was time to hear from different people, and we ended with a simple but important lesson; you can see the results in the above images. The Jewish and Muslim communities were asked to describe how we are feeling at the moment, and then we compared the lists. Though we all probably knew the lists would be rather similar, it was very moving to put them side by side and see just how much we are all under pressure, feeling isolated, blamed, torn, and worried.

But the most profound part of the day was seeing how we all adhered to the value of ‘non-confrontation’, even when one guest (not a member of the MFF) used highly accusatory and problematic language, bordering on outright antisemitism and racism. In hindsight it was rather ironic as the room was full of police officers as well as the Council’s Prevent Officer. In that moment it was a very uncomfortable, frustrating and difficult experience. But what stood out was the response of the Leader of the Council, Peray Ahmet, who responded with calm questions and a dignity that highlighted the man’s bigotry and racism. 

At a time where the mood is to react with strong statements and anger, it was heartening to see how antisemitism, islamophobia, and racism, was called out for what it was, and in a way that could be heard and emulated.

I’m hearing stories from many members of how they are also doing this, especially in their workplaces, trying to educate, engage and talk with compassion and non-confrontation when antisemitism (whether intentionally or unintentionally) creeps into conversations and work streams. It is tiring and wearing work, but it is important, and we are grateful to all of you who are doing it on behalf of all of us.

And it continues this Sunday. Locally we will be planting daffodils at the Methodist Church in Pages Lane, together with the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities as part of a multi-faith celebration of light and hope, and we will end with plants being symbolically exchanged with other faith groups. In the new year we will meet again to see how they have grown, and continue nurturing our connections with other faith groups. 

Also on Sunday, opposite Downing St, Together for Humanity, a coalition of charities, community organisations and faith groups, will hold another vigil that aims to build bridges,  creating a space for grieving all civilians killed in the war, — Israeli or Palestinian — and to share a vision of hope that people of different backgrounds and faiths can live in peace alongside each other, here in the UK and around the world. See more info here; Together for Humanity – Envisioning a future for all

At a time of increasing darkness, we have to actively seek out the light, in all the ways we can think of, together.