Representatives from more than 50 Jewish communities across the UK gathered at the House of Commons on Wednesday for a Parliamentary lunch hosted by MP Andrew Snowden, the
Jewish Small Communities Network (JSCN) and the Jewish Leadership Council.
The event drew 75 JSCN delegates from communities as far apart as Belfast, Plymouth, Cardiff, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton and the Pennine town of Todmorden. They were joined by 20 MPs and peers, including Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg, Manchester Jewish Representative Council chair Mark Addlestone, and the JLC’s Marc Levy and Leo Brosh.
JSCN chief executive Ed Horwich described the occasion as “momentous… unprecedented, and truly historic,” noting the significance of bringing leaders from 50 small communities “standing shoulder to shoulder, visible and united” inside Parliament. He thanked Snowden, whose Fylde and Wyre constituency includes one small Jewish community and borders another in Blackpool, for sponsoring the reception.
Snowden opened his remarks with humour—“some of you may be wondering what a middle-aged, bald Northerner has to do with Jewish communities”—before reflecting on his “lifelong connection” with British Jews. He said allies must now “do our bit to stand up and support our friends, colleagues and members,” and praised the Jewish community in Fylde, home to Lancashire’s only synagogue.
Referring to rising hostility since 7 October, Snowden warned that escalating “anti-Jewish and sometimes antisemitic rhetoric” had been a clear danger, culminating in the “unthinkable tragedy” at a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur. Several attendees, he noted, had family members directly affected by the attack. “It is so important that we show our solidarity,” he said. “We host events like this not only to confront difficult issues but also to celebrate Jewish culture.”
Guests of honour included artist Caren Garfen, who presented After The Event, a teenager’s tallit documenting antisemitic attacks against Jewish children worldwide since October 2023. Filmmaker Jonny Weinberg also attended, showcasing The Innocents, a JSCN-commissioned short exploring modern Jewish communities alongside the medieval Blood Libels of Norwich and Lincoln.
Weinberg said the film has already spurred change: Norwich Cathedral has removed its previous account of William of Norwich and is consulting local Jewish leaders on how to present the shared history responsibly. The film will premiere on 11 November at the UK Jewish Film Festival.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were MPs Jack Rankin (Windsor), James Wild (North West Norfolk), Scott Arthur (Edinburgh South West), Steve Race (Exeter), Harriet Baldwin (West Worcestershire), Steve Yemm (Mansfield), Luke Akehurst (North Durham) and Dan Tomlinson (Chipping Barnet), as well as Baroness Natalie Evans, Baroness Gillian Merron, and several other cross-party parliamentarians. Photo by Josie Campbell, Wikimedia commons.