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“They tried to murder us. They did not succeed. Let’s dine,” commented Andrew Walters.

That traditional Jewish joke seems particularly relevant in Greater Manchester in the face of present-day risks.

For Walters, the good-humoured quip captures the unyielding spirit that marks his Orthodox Jewish community.

This vibrant area was identified by an extremist undercover group, whose scheme to “kill as many Jews as possible” in a marauding firearms assault was foiled. Two men were convicted this week on terror-related charges.

Neighbourhood Solidarity and Daily Struggles

In the words of the councillor, the foiled scheme has not diminished the community’s wish to live harmoniously with its neighbours. “My business partner is a religious Muslim and we have an excellent relationship,” said the tax adviser. “You find good and bad in any community. The vast majority just want to live in peace.”

The individuals perceived the Hebrew population solely through the distorted lens of prejudice.

They showed no interest in the varied lifestyles, financial situations, religious practice and political views within Greater Manchester’s Jewish communities, nor in the serious issues like poverty that affect many UK areas.

Michelle Ciffer Klein runs a family support centre that supports hundreds of families, including large ultra-Orthodox families and some Muslim women. The service provides parenting support, clinics, guidance, educational programs, and vital financial and material support.

“People outside think the biggest issue is security – that is incorrect,” she said. “Naturally we’re sad and we reflect, but the women I work with are finding it hard to cope with daily routines, pressure and many children. We don’t judge.”

“The cost of living – specialist food is very expensive – energy bills, families who can’t afford basic essentials, accommodation, welfare issues – that’s what I’m dealing with.”

Heightened Vigilance and Unbroken Resolve

Despite these pressures, two unifying themes have grown under pressure. One is a marked shift “in favour of social cohesion and involvement,” as noted by a recent community research organisation. The other is a atmosphere of alertness on a scale unseen in most UK towns.

“We can respond to an event in two minutes,” said the leader of a Jewish civilian patrol group that shares information with authorities.

“The atmosphere is definitely tense,” they added. “We’ve seen a sharp rise in reports to our 24-hour hotline about concerning behaviour.”

Nonetheless, Walters stressed that the Orthodox communities, among the fastest-growing in Europe, did not live in terror. “We love life,” he said. “We are confident that if we die, we’re going to a a higher place. We decline to be afraid.”

Wider Context and Appeals for Action

Other prominent community figures argue that considerably more must be done to tackle the risk of radical ideology.

While statistics show that cases with clear right-wing extremist motivation exceeded those linked to radical Islamist views last year, the most violent schemes in recent years have been perpetrated by Islamist extremists.

“A significant part of our work on the security side is trying to identify and prevent malicious surveillance of Jewish locations that would come before an attack,” said a security head from a community security organisation.

They noted a series of terrorism and antisemitic activity coming from towns north of the city, leading to inquiries about the specific dynamics in that region.

Recent tragic events internationally have occurred with Jewish holidays and anniversaries, increasing a sense of global concern.

Reflection on a Changing Paradigm

Some commentators believe that a post-Holocaust understanding has changed.

“In the UK, there was a kind of view there was a period of safety in terms of post-war understanding of what antisemitism is,” said a director for a civic council. “I think that outlook is starting to be seen as excessively naive.”

They added, “This is not to say we think this time is any more dangerous than any of those times before, but that there’s no sense of security that dangerous times won’t return.”

There is recognition of the efforts being done within Islamic communities to dispute radical ideologies, though moderate voices can feel intimidated.

Calls have been made for the authorities to bring forward a new radicalism plan, with an focus on addressing the doctrinal threat presented by extremism, separate from faith or people.

Resilience and Optimism

However, despite the backdrop of security threats, a note of joyful resilience runs through even solemn gatherings.

“During a commemoration to mark an solemn date, the discussion included the recent local attack,” a leader recounted. “Spontaneously, at the end, a musician started playing Jewish tunes and people started dancing. That’s the positive spin.”

“However I would be dishonest if I said those sober debates about the prospects of Jewish life in this country haven’t been continuing.”