Key Takeaways
- Jeremy Jacobs, former chief executive of the United Synagogue, has decided to leave Britain for Israel because of a marked rise in antisemitism.
- He cites personal experiences of hostility, from childhood bullying to recent fears of walking publicly with a kippah.
- Jacobs draws a historical parallel, noting that antisemitic sentiment often begins in academia before spreading to the wider society, a pattern he sees repeating in the UK today.
- Despite the climate of fear, he highlights occasional acts of solidarity from strangers that give him hope.
- His decision reflects a broader concern that Jews are being scapegoated amid Britain’s economic difficulties, and that Israel offers the communal solidarity he no longer feels at home.
Background and Decision to Emigrate
Jeremy Jacobs announced his intention to emigrate from the United Kingdom to Israel, citing an alarming increase in antisemitic incidents that has eroded his confidence in British society. As the former chief executive of United Synagogue—the umbrella organization for Orthodox Jewish communities in the UK—Jacobs wielded considerable influence within the Jewish establishment. In a letter to The Telegraph he revealed that his family home is now on the market and that concrete plans are underway to start a new life in Israel. The move marks a profound personal shift for a man whose ancestors settled in Britain in the 1850s and who has long identified as a proud Briton.
Personal Encounters with Antisemitism
Jacobs traced his awareness of Jew‑hatred back to childhood, recalling an incident in the 1960s when a non‑Jewish friend turned on him during a game of football and shouted, “Dirty Jew.” The memory of running home in tears stayed with him as his first encounter with hatred directed solely at his Jewish identity. Although he later enjoyed relatively normal periods—attending Jewish schools, studying at the London School of Economics, and maintaining amicable relations with neighbours—he now describes a constant undercurrent of fear when walking through London with his kippah, unsure whether anyone would intervene if he were attacked.
Historical Comparisons and Academic Roots
Drawing on his sense of historical perspective, Jacobs warned that the current climate resembles the early stages of antisemitism in 1920s‑1930s Germany, where prejudice first took hold in academic circles before being embraced by political actors. He noted that friends and relatives working in British universities are already experiencing hostility, with any expression of support for Israel deemed unacceptable. This trajectory, he argued, mirrors a pattern in which intellectual environments become breeding grounds for bigotry that later infiltrates broader public discourse.
Hopeful Interactions Amid Hostility
Despite the prevailing anxiety, Jacobs recounted moments that restore his faith in ordinary people. While queuing at Luton Airport with his wife, a stranger tapped his shoulder and expressed solidarity, saying, “We’re with you. We’re sorry about what’s going on.” He emphasized that such individual gestures—unsolicited and unaffiliated with any governmental action—provide genuine comfort and underscore that compassion can still emerge from the grassroots, even when institutional protections feel lacking.
Impact on Family and Community Life
The rise in antisemitism has tangible effects on Jacobs’s family, particularly his grandchildren. He described how Jewish schoolchildren are now instructed to conceal the badges on their blazers and, in some cases, are barred from wearing their school uniforms until the end of the summer term to avoid drawing attention. Jacobs lamented that such measures force Jews to hide their identity in a Western society that should, in his view, allow them to live openly and safely. The need to suppress visible signs of faith, he argued, undermines the very principles of tolerance and multiculturalism that Britain claims to uphold.
Perception of Societal Failure and Scapegoating
Jacobs linked the surge in Jew‑hatred to broader societal stressors, asserting that when a nation faces financial hardship—as Britain undoubtedly does—establishments often seek convenient scapegoats. He pointed to the enduring antisemitic trope that Jews “control the money,” suggesting that economic anxiety fuels the resurgence of this conspiracy theory. In his view, the blame placed on Jews is not an isolated phenomenon but a symptom of a failing social contract that seeks simple explanations for complex problems.
Experiences in Israel and Sense of Belonging
Contrasting his experiences in the UK with those in Israel, Jacobs recalled a visit in June 2025 during the first Iranian war, when he and his wife spent nights in bomb shelters. Despite the danger, he described a powerful sense of collegiality and mutual support, reminiscent of the “Blitz spirit” during World War II. Walking through Israeli streets—even amid conflict—he felt genuinely at home, a feeling that has evaporated in London. For Jacobs, Israel embodies the solidarity and collective responsibility he no longer perceives in British society.
Family Response and Future Uncertainty
Acknowledging that his decision will place him farther from his children and grandchildren, Jacobs said his family understands his motivations and remains supportive, though they are constrained by work, school, and business ties that prevent them from joining him at present. He expressed hope that they retain the freedom to choose their own paths, yet wondered how long that latitude will endure if antisemitic pressures continue to intensify. The uncertainty underscores the painful calculus faced by many Jews weighing safety against familial and communal roots.
Conclusion: A Personal and Communal Turning Point
Jeremy Jacobs’s public declaration to leave Britain for Israel encapsulates a growing unease among segments of the UK Jewish community amid rising antisemitism. His narrative weaves personal memory, historical analogy, and contemporary observation into a cautionary tale about how societal fragility can revive ancient prejudices. While he finds solace in isolated acts of kindness and in the communal spirit he experiences in Israel, his story also signals a broader warning: unless the underlying currents of hostility and scapegoating are addressed, more Jews may feel compelled to seek refuge elsewhere, reshaping the demographic and cultural landscape of British Jewry.