Despite heightened security measures around Jewish institutions in Europe,

70% of Europe’s Jews do not intend to attend shul on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

A recent survey held last week by the European Jewish Association (EJA) and the Rabbinical Center of Europe (RCE) shows that despite the increased security arrangements around Jewish institutions in Europe, 70% of Europe’s Jews do not intend to visit shul on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

The findings of the survey conducted on September 12-15, 2016 among a representative sample of 700 capital cities and communities in the periphery throughout Europe – from Britain in the west to Ukraine in the east, demonstrate that more that 50% of Jewish communities across the continent – report a decline in the number of active members of the Jewish community, as a direct result of an increase of anti-Semitism. Only about 11% of communities across Europe reported an increase in members and 39% of the communities reported that there is no change in the number of registered community members.

EJA and RCE General Director Rabbi Menachem Margolin indicates that 75% of the communities reported an increased vigilance by various governments to the dangers faced by Jews in light of the growing anti-Semitism since last year’s High Holidays The vast majority of community leaders also reported having to increase security and policing measures around Jewish schools, synagogues and other affiliated institutions of the community.

“The challenge for most of the Jewish communities has doubled in recent months,” notes Rabbi Margolin “On one hand, significant increasing in violence against Jews of individuals, institutions and communities (among other reasons by immigrants and Muslim refugees) and on the other – as a result of the refugee crisis, there is an actual increase in the power of the far right across the continent.

Currently the focus of the extreme right and their activity is focused on Islam, but testimonies of rabbis and community leaders show a great deal of concern about the growing of nationalism and xenophobia” warns Rabbi Margolin.

The Rabbi also called for the European Union and governments across the continent to increase educational efforts and the fight against anti-Semitism as part of the curriculum in schools. “counterterrorism is of course an important measure to save lives – but not enough to solve the problem from the root. As long as there will not be an educational effort focused on the Elimination of anti-Semitism, the problem will continue”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)