Jewish rabbi fearing Iranian retaliation says community ‘are monitoring everything and praying’

Jewish schools and synagogues are bracing for violent reprisals over US-Israeli strikes on Iran, ramping up security measures to maximum.

In north London areas like Golders Green, Stamford Hill and Mill Hill, where the Jewish community has previously been targeted, the Metropolitan Police have been placed on high alert.

Jewish families have been urged not to congregate in large groups outside schools or for religious festivals for fear of becoming a target.

One rabbi said a mystery man wearing a rucksack tried to bypass security to break into a mosque during religious celebrations.

Private security officers are providing a ‘ring of steel’ around schools and synagogues. 

With the attack on Iran by Israel and the US intensifying, tensions are ratcheting up, according to Rabbis who are dealing with the fallout.

Rabbi Elchonon of Bushey Synagogue summed up the fear levels telling Metro: ‘We are deeply concerned and deeply worried. We know people who have been affected. I was supposed to be on a plane on Saturday night.

‘We are all on edge.

‘We do not know if we are more of a target. We know that Iran can be indiscriminate.

‘We know they have their proxies. We are monitoring everything and praying.’

Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet of Mill Hill Synagogue said tensions were running high with a security alert amid celebrations for the religious festival of Purim on Sunday.

He told Metro: ‘I have a son and daughter-in-law and a newborn granddaughter who are living in the heart of Jerusalem who are spending their time in a shelter. In that sense, there is obvious trepidation. 

‘Beyond Israel, on our own home front, there is the natural need to be extra vigilant.

‘We did have a bit of a security incident on Sunday when an unknown individual attempted to walk into the synagogue.’

‘Security turned him away, he was carrying a rucksack and he quickly got back into his car and left.

‘It highlights the uncertainty and extra vigilance and sensitivity around these situations. We were there and moved him on.

‘For those who are hesitant, security is tight, celebrations must go on. 

‘Nothing will get in the way of Jewish pride and Jewish resilience

‘I have heard members of the congregation expressing hesitance and anxiety about security. 

‘It is about being smart and vigilant. The show must go on.’ 

The Community Safety Trust (CST) which advises the Jewish community on security arrangements is working with the police to bolster security in the latest chapter in the volatile history of the Middle East.

It said the Jewish community was prepared for hostile action having been on high alert since the October 7 attacks in which Hamas fighters stormed Israeli territory, killing more than 1,100 people and taking hostages. 

A spokesperson said: ‘The ongoing threat from Iran and its proxies has always featured in our planning and operations, and in our conversations with police and government.

‘Security measures across the Jewish community have been at a very high level since the October 7th terrorist attack in Israel, and in light of the attack on Heaton Park Synagogue and the ongoing terrorist threat to the Jewish community here in the UK.’ 

Videos of members of the Jewish community and Iranian exiles in north west London celebrating the death of the Ayatollah – Iran’s religious leader – have gone viral. 

But regime loyalists are well known to operate in the UK, sparking fears of revenge attacks. 

A security guard at Golders Green Synagogue told Metro: ‘We are ready we have our measures in place and for some time have been preparing.

‘We work with the police and have been taking advice. We want to reassure everyone that the security is tight.’ 

The security around the synagogue is highly visible with guards on the gate and regular reconnaissance patrols around nearby streets. 

The Metro saw someone carrying an Iranian flag shaking hands with a member of the Jewish community in an apparent effort to defuse tensions.

But the CST has advised those defending sensitive buildings to keep gates locked when possible and to avoid congregating in large groups outside on the school run or religious services. 

A security guard at a synagogue in Stamford Hill told Metro: ‘It’s a worrying time but since October 7 we are on alert. We try to do what the police to have a ‘ring of steel’ around the place.

‘The front entrance is obviously the main focus but we have streets around covered by security as well.’ 

The private security firms are bolstered by the Shomrim, a group of volunteers from the local community who patrol and share any intelligence they gather with the Met police. 

Last year, synagogues were smeared with faeces while a catalogue of verbal abuse was reported to police. 

Shops around Golders Green and Stamford Hill are also on the lookout for potential security risks. 

A father-of-three who runs a convenience store said: ‘We have cameras and the local Jewish security, the Shomrim check in on us. We have had verbal abuse, it’s a scary time for all of us.’ 

Since October 7, there has been a series of incidents in north London mainly involving graffiti and vandalism aimed against the Jewish community.

In October last year, Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby died when Jihad Al-Shamie attacked the Heaton Park Mosque in Manchester. 

The deadly attack has led to security reviews at potential Jewish targets across the UK. 

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