Manchester Rabbi Benjamin Rickman describes rising antisemitism in Britain after the Yom Kippur synagogue murders, saying Jews “no longer feel safe.”
“We Are Living in Fear” — Rabbi Rickman Speaks from Manchester
Rabbi Benjamin Rickman, a Mizrachi emissary and community rabbi in Manchester, shared the deep pain and fear gripping British Jews following the Yom Kippur terror attack that claimed the lives of two worshippers outside the Heaton Park Synagogue.
“We are experiencing antisemitism in an abnormal way,” Rabbi Rickman told Arutz Sheva – Israel National News. “People are afraid to walk the streets. They’re cursed, shouted at. Some hide their Jewish identity — removing their kippah or Magen David. It’s heartbreaking.”
Yet, he added, others have responded with defiance:
“There are those who come to synagogue waving Israeli flags, who never came before. They want to show — Am Yisrael Chai — the Jewish people live.”
“It’s Not Normal to Need Guards at Synagogues”
The rabbi described the painful reality of Jewish life in Britain today:
“It bothers me that we need guards outside our synagogues. On Shabbat, a police patrol car stood outside for twelve hours. They were kind, respectful — but this is not normal.”
He warned that extremist movements are gaining ground in the UK, while politicians “look the other way.”
“They’re afraid. They need the votes of those who oppose Jews and Israel. They send nice emails of sorrow, but they don’t say that what’s happening is wrong. They focus on the murders — not the cause.”
“A Religion That Glorifies Death”
Rabbi Rickman spoke bluntly about the ideological roots of radical violence:
“There is a religion here that sanctifies death, not life — that honors murder like the Nazis did. The silence of the government allows it to grow.”
He criticized Britain’s passive response:
“The silent majority are kind and decent, but the loud minority — violent and hateful — controls the public space. And the politicians are too frightened to confront them.”
“My Body Is in Britain, My Heart Is in Israel”
In the face of rising hatred, aliyah discussions are spreading through the community.
“My eldest daughter already made aliyah. My son will go next year. It feels like the Kindertransport — sending our children to safety in Israel.”
Rabbi Rickman said hundreds of Jewish families are now considering emigration.
“Two hundred families are preparing to move. When the government refuses to stand up to hatred — what choice do we have?”
“Jewish Schools Behind Fences”
The rabbi, a veteran educator, condemned the double standard in British education:
“Only Jewish schools are fenced and guarded. That says everything about how we live. Even before October 7th, antisemitism was here. But since the massacre, pro-Palestinian protests have become louder and more violent.”
“Jews Are the Polite Ones — But We’re Alone”
Despite everything, Rabbi Rickman sees light in the kindness of ordinary Britons:
“When I went shopping, a woman at the supermarket wanted to hug me. She said she was sorry and that they are with us. The problem isn’t all of Britain — it’s the noisy, hateful minority.”
He concluded with a bittersweet reflection:
“My body is stuck here, but my heart is in Israel. Some Jews will stay — but many young families are planning their future in Israel, because they no longer see one here.”
