TV documentary lifts the lid on being Jewish in UK
TV documentrary lifts the lid on what brings together — and divides — a community
EVERYBODY THINKS they are right — that’s because they are all Jewish,” says Sylvia.
And she should know. She is one of eight people taking part in a TV documentary which explores what it means to be Jewish in Britain today.
The two-part series, which begins next Tuesday on BBC2, aims to bring together those with a range of opinions, beliefs and practices.
Producer Lucie Kon, who is herself Jewish, wanted to make a series to “demonstrate the diversity and division,” within the community at a time when many fear rising antisemitism.
“To many on the outside, it may seem that Britain’s Jews speak with one voice, but on the inside, the community is not just diverse but also, on some of the key issues, divided,” she says.
The “cast” of We are British Jews includes Joseph Cohen, a campaigner behind the Israel Advocacy Movement, and Lily, a 22–year-old Cambridge graduate who spent time as a volunteer in Palestinian refugee camps. Others include Sylvia, a strictly Orthodox grandmother, from north west London, and Alan, 77, from West Yorkshire, who took part wanting “an adventure”.
Viewers will see their journey begin in Manchester’s strictly Orthodox community where they meet for the first time, before travelling to Israel.
In the first episode, the differences are established almost immediately.
“I’m just an ordinary Jew” Alan tells viewers. “I’m non-religious, not devoted, I don’t pray and I am partial to a bacon sandwich.”
For Sylvia, however, her faith is everything. She explains: “England is my home, I am English but my neshama [soul] is there… in Israel.”
For 20-year-old Leeds University journalism student Emma Jacobs, “there is more to being a British Jew than Israel”.
She says: “I was the first Jew many of my friends at university had met. Hopefully, this programme will show that British Jews aren’t ‘other’ or different.”
Joseph felt that it was only through interactions with people who had different narratives “that I could try to overcome some of the biases I have”.
In Manchester, the group visit a kosher restaurant, Taam, which, the owner explains, has been attacked a number of times in what she believes are antisemitic crimes.
Later, they meet the Labour MP, Dame Louise Ellman, who has been the focus of abuse online and has spoken out since Jeremy Corbyn became leader of her party.
Damon, who calls himself a “Jewish atheist” and proud Zionist, expresses frustration at MPs and members like her for staying in the party.
“It is time, as it gets pulled further to the left, that you as MPs say enough… get out of that antisemitic party,” he tells her. But Lily disagrees: “We need to be on the inside and we need to be part of the conversation. Engagement is the most important thing.”
On being Jewish and her views on Israel, she tells Emma that “people bring the two together more than I’d like. When I open my mouth about what I’ve experienced in the West Bank people tell me I am a self-hating Jew”.
Lucie says one of the biggest challenges in casting for the show was finding “a group of people who helped to reflect the plurality of voices.
“Perhaps the hardest to cast were the most religious and the most politically active.
“A lot of those we spoke to were worried they might be taken out of context. At the other end, people who had spoken out against the government of Israel were equally sceptical.
“We wanted to take the group to see places and people that would help them to go on an emotional as well as a physical journey.”
In the second part, shown on Wednesday, they travel to Israel. And while many call it their homeland, it is clear it is not that simple for some.
Ella, 25, a proud Zionist — who since filming has made Aliyah — tells viewers that she “cannot wait to get to Israel. Get me with my people as soon as possible.”
But Emma is more interested in seeing how Damon will feel having never visited the country, despite being a “massive” Israel advocate.
Producers enlisted Rabbi Nicky Liss of Highgate Synagogue and Laura Marks, founder of Mitzvah Day, as consultants, alongside Raymond Simonson, the chief executive of JW3.
In Israel, the group visits flashpoints for violence, including Hebron and the West Bank, where they hear from people from across the religious and political divide. Some are challenged after meeting Tsipi, a prominent Jewish activist whose father was murdered by a Palestinian.
And a visit to Efrat, considered by the international community an illegal settlement, further highlights the group’s differing views.
A meeting with Fadi, a Palestinian who tells them what his life is like living behind the West Bank’s separation barrier, causes further divides.
Emma says: “Seeing how some of the group reacted to some Palestinians we met I was surprised by how quickly dialogue can be derailed. Positive and productive conversations are the way forward, however hard they may be.”
And a visit to the Western Wall provides an opportunity for the group to grapple with the issues surrounding prayer.
Emma is verbally attacked by a religious woman for wearing a tallit and kippah.
She says: “I was not surprised but disappointed, by the reaction. Other women praying in this way have had rocks thrown at their heads and protestors have set prayer books on fire.
“It’s 2018. Women should not stop other women from praying how they want to if it’s done respectfully, and doesn’t harm anyone else.”
The series ends with a moving meeting with two fathers, Bassam, a Palestinian and Rami, an Israeli, who have both lost young daughters to the conflict.
Damon sums up his feelings: “I often feel great anger when discussing the conflict with haters of Israel. But here are two men with an absolute right to feel anger and hatred, yet have turned those feelings into positivity for peace.”