Islanders are "more accepting" of Jews than people in the UK

Tuesday 20 January 2015

Jersey people are much more accepting of the Jewish community than those in some parts of the UK says the head of the Island’s Jewish congregation.

Following a warning from the Home Secretary in the UK about the dangers of anti-Semitism, the Island congregation's president, Stephen Regal, said he’s saddened to see there is still a marginalization of Jews on the mainland today, where he says some members of his family have to hide their faith. But Mr Regal says that Jersey's society is a more optimistic and accepting one.

He said: “My two nephews, one who lives in London, one in Manchester have been vilified when wearing a Jewish skull cap and have reverted to wearing a baseball cap. These things are really frightening to us.

“The situation here is a much much more optimistic, more pluralistic society, the establishment have been much more accepting of all types and particularly Jews, we play a full part in the society and economy of the Island and we are accepted as any other citizen.”

Earlier this month, four people were murdered by an Islamic gunman in a kosher supermarket in Paris for being Jewish.

Mr Regal says the Jews of Germany of 1933 to 1938 didn’t recognise the signs of what was happening but today Jewish people are much more vigilant.

He said: “Today our antennae are raised. Sadly if me and my wife had lived in France we would have upped sticks about ten years ago.”

Speaking at the weekend at a service in London to remember all those killed in this month’s terror attacks in France the Home Secretary said it was chilling reminder that anti-semitism still exists in the UK as well as France.

Mr Regal said: “I’m a rough, tough builder but Theresa May’s speech brought a tear to my eye because the government are taking it very seriously. I was astounded but in a nice way.”

Mr Regal will be laying a wreath on behalf of Jersey’s Jewish Congregation at the annual Holocaust Memorial Day Service next Tuesday to remember the millions who were murdered in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

The ceremony, part of the national commemoration, takes place at 1 pm in the Occupation Tapestry Gallery at the Maritime Museum on the New North Quay.