Progressive Jewish leaders have spoken out once more to highlight the frightening rise in antisemitism since the 7 October terrorist attacks.

Clergy have been responding to the latest CST figures, which recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2023 – the highest total ever reported to the CST in a single calendar year and an increase of 147% from 2022.

Rabbi Neil Janes told Greatest Hits Radio: “What this report shows is that antisemitism is now happening on a scale never known before.

“I’m calling on schools to bring in education targeting hate of antisemitism and Islamophobia, because the only way we can start to build back social cohesion is if we teach our children how to engage together in a non-hateful way.”

Rabbi Neil also spoke about how, in his own South Bucks Jewish Community, a member received a note stuck to his door telling him to ‘go back to his country’, while a non-Jewish youth was reportedly overheard saying that it would be fun to kidnap a Jewish child

He added: “Antisemitism is everywhere; it’s pervasive, and the community is concerned about what it means for their safety and security.”

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE has done a series of media interviews discussing these shocking figures, including with Talk TV and BBC Radio 5 Live.

He told the BBC’s Nicky Campbell: “There are many parts of the country, particularly in the cities, where it is very difficult to be Jewish. Businesses are receiving graffiti, schoolchildren and university students are being abused and our synagogues need extra security. We are having to face things that nobody should have to face, just because we are Jewish.”

• If you wish to report an antisemitic incident, you can speak in confidence to your local Progressive rabbi or cantor and/or contact the CST.