Sir Sajid Javid, HMDT Chair: It is our collective duty to defend Britain’s Jewish communities

In an op-ed published by The House, Sir Sajid Javid, Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), calls for community cohesion in order to rebuild trust and hope within Britain’s Jewish communities. His passionate response comes in the wake of the horrifying attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester on 2 October.

Sir Sajid argues that, now more than ever, concrete action must be taken to address the alarming rise in antisemitism and resulting extremist violence in the UK. Standing united against all forms of identity-based hatred, he says, is key to restoring a much-needed sense of safety in Jewish communities, and to promoting social cohesion in wider British society. 

In his article, Sir Sajid emphasises the importance of community organisations that bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds, to teach future generations about the dangers of prejudice. He calls on governments and officials to support these organisations and highlights the work of HMDT in ensuring that the lessons of the past are not forgotten.

“The Holocaust taught us what happens when hatred is normalised, but also that remembrance and education can heal,” Sir Sajid writes in The House.

Through educational resources, partnerships with schools, community outreach, and preservation of survivor testimonies, HMDT aims to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are passed on to future generations. This work is more important than ever in our increasingly divided world.

After the shocking events in Manchester on Yom Kippur – a day meant for atonement and reflection – feelings of grief, fear, and distrust continue to deeply affect the Jewish community. As we look to the future, we must remember the tragic events of our past so that we can learn from them.

In the piece, Sir Sajid reminds us of our shared duty to challenge hatred and discrimination. Only then can hope and trust be restored for Jewish communities in the UK.