'A Zionist is a Jew with somewhere to live': An olah's observations while back in London - opinion

London, despite outward appearances, is becoming an increasingly unsettling place for its Jewish community. While institutions like the Tate Gallery, funded by Jewish patrons, and thriving kosher food establishments suggest a vibrant Jewish presence, a darker reality is emerging beneath the surface. The author notes that Jewish pupils are often bullied in public schools, Jewish doctors face boycotts, and students feel unsafe on university campuses. This shift is framed against a historical backdrop, recalling King Edward I's 1290 Edict of Expulsion. While Jews have largely lived in peace and prosperity since their readmission by Oliver Cromwell nearly 400 years later, the current climate evokes a sense of astonishment and fear. The article highlights the work of writer Howard Jacobson, who is grappling with the contemporary experience of being Jewish in London, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7th events. Jacobson's new novel, "Howl," reportedly captures this sentiment, though it is not a light read. The author of the article, Pamela Peled, an "olah" (a Jewish immigrant to Israel) who is back in London, uses her observations to underscore the growing unease. Despite the continued presence of Jewish life, synagogues, kosher eateries, and Jewish schools with waiting lists, there is a palpable sense that the comfortable existence of the past is eroding, replaced by a more precarious reality.