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“They attempted to kill us. They did not succeed. Let’s dine,” stated a community figure.

This long-standing Jewish adage seems particularly significant in a northern English city amid present-day threats.

For the representative, the good-humoured quip captures the strong character that characterises his traditional Jewish community.

This vibrant district was singled out by an Islamic State terror cell, whose plan to “kill as many Jews as possible” in a violent firearms incident was prevented. Two men were convicted this week on terror-related charges.

Community Unity and Daily Challenges

In the words of the councillor, the foiled plot has not diminished the neighbourhood’s commitment to coexist with its wider community. “My business partner is a devout Muslim and we work well together,” said the financial advisor. “There’s good and bad in any group. Most just want to live in peace.”

The extremists saw the Jewish community solely through the distorted lens of antisemitism.

They showed no curiosity in the diverse lifestyles, incomes, religious practice and opinions within the city’s Jewish populations, nor in the pressing issues like poverty that affect many UK communities.

Michelle Ciffer Klein runs a children and families centre that helps hundreds of families, including large ultra-Orthodox families and some Muslim women. The service delivers parenting support, clinics, advice services, educational programs, and crucial food and debt support.

“Those looking in think the primary issue is security – that is not true,” Ciffer Klein said. “Naturally we’re sad and we pray, but the women I work with are finding it hard to cope with day-to-day lives, pressure and large families. We are here to help.”

“The cost of living – kosher food is very expensive – energy bills, people who can’t afford milk and nappies, accommodation, welfare issues – that’s what I’m dealing with.”

Heightened Security and Strong Resolve

Despite these pressures, two unifying themes have strengthened under pressure. One is a clear shift “in favour of neighbourly unity and engagement,” according to a major community research institute. The other is a atmosphere of alertness on a level rare in most UK suburbs.

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

“The atmosphere is certainly anxious,” they continued. “There has been a significant surge in reports to our round-the-clock helpline about concerning behaviour.”

Nonetheless, the councillor stated that the Orthodox communities, among the fastest-growing in Europe, did not live in fear. “We cherish life,” he said. “And we believe that if we pass away, we’re going to a better place. We decline to be afraid.”

Broader Context and Calls for Measures

Other prominent British Jews say that much more must be done to address the risk of violent extremism.

While statistics show that incidents with clear far-right ideology outnumbered those linked to Islamist extremism last year, the most violent plots in the past few years have been perpetrated by individuals inspired by extremist ideology.

“A big part of our work on the safety side is trying to spot and stop malicious surveillance of Jewish sites that would come before an attack,” said a policy head from a safety organisation.

They pointed out a pattern of terror-related and antisemitic activity originating from areas north of the city, prompting questions about the particular dynamics in that area.

Recent tragic events internationally have coincided with Jewish holidays and anniversaries, increasing a sense of worldwide unease.

Assessment on a Changing Paradigm

Some commentators suggest that a post-Holocaust paradigm has altered.

“Historically in Britain, there was sort of view there was a golden age in terms of post-Holocaust awareness of what antisemitism is,” said a spokesperson for a Jewish leadership body. “It is my belief that viewpoint is starting to be seen as far too optimistic.”

They continued, “It’s not that we think this time is any more dangerous than any of those times before, but that there’s no sense of security that troubled times won’t recur.”

There is recognition of the hard work being done within Islamic communities to counter extremist narratives, though mainstream voices can feel overwhelmed.

Calls have been made for the authorities to introduce a new extremism framework, with an emphasis on tackling the ideological threat posed by extremism, separate from religion or individuals.

Defiance and Optimism

However, amid the context of security threats, a note of positive defiance permeates even sombre occasions.

“At a recent gathering to mark an solemn date, the conversation included the Manchester attack,” a spokesperson recounted. “Unplanned, at the end, a performer started playing Jewish tunes and people started celebrating. That’s the resilient spirit.”

“However I would be dishonest if I said those grave conversations about the prospects of Jewish life in this nation haven’t been ongoing.”