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“They tried to slay us. They were unsuccessful. Let’s have a meal,” stated a local councillor.

That traditional Hebrew adage seems especially pertinent in Greater Manchester amid current dangers.

For the councillor, the humorous remark captures the unyielding nature that marks his Orthodox Jewish population.

This lively district was singled out by an IS terror cell, whose plan to “murder as many Jews as possible” in a marauding gun incident was prevented. Two individuals were found guilty this week on terror-related charges.

Community Unity and Daily Challenges

In the words of the councillor, the disrupted scheme has not weakened the community’s commitment to get on with its wider community. “My business partner is a devout Muslim and we get on great,” said the father of nine. “There’s good and bad in any community. The vast majority just want to live in harmony.”

The extremists viewed the Hebrew population solely through the narrow view of antisemitism.

They showed no curiosity in the wide-ranging lifestyles, financial situations, levels of observance and political views within Greater Manchester’s Jewish populations, nor in the pressing social concerns like financial hardship that affect many UK communities.

A local leader runs a children and families centre that helps hundreds of families, including large strictly observant families and some Muslim women. The centre provides mother and baby groups, clinics, advice services, learning programs, and vital financial and material support.

“People outside assume the main issue is security – that is not true,” the director 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.”

“Rising prices – kosher food is very expensive – utility costs, families who can’t afford milk and nappies, accommodation, welfare issues – that’s what I’m dealing with.”

Increased Security and Strong Spirit

Despite these challenges, two unifying themes have strengthened under strain. One is a clear shift “towards neighbourly unity and involvement,” as noted by a major policy study institute. The other is a culture of vigilance on a scale unseen in most UK communities.

“We can respond to an situation in two minutes,” said the leader of a Jewish civilian patrol group that shares intelligence with police.

“The atmosphere is definitely anxious,” they added. “There has been a sharp rise in reports to our round-the-clock hotline about suspicious activities.”

Nonetheless, the councillor emphasised that the Orthodox communities, among the most rapidly expanding in Europe, did not live in terror. “We cherish life,” he said. “We have faith that if we die, we’re going to a a higher place. We refuse to be afraid.”

Broader Context and Appeals for Action

Other prominent community figures say that much more must be done to tackle the danger of violent extremism.

While statistics show that incidents with explicit right-wing extremist motivation outnumbered those linked to radical Islamist views 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 security side is trying to spot and disrupt hostile reconnaissance of Jewish sites that would come before an incident,” said a security head from a community security organisation.

They noted a trend of terrorism and antisemitic incidents coming from towns north of the city, leading to inquiries about the particular dynamics in that region.

Recent attacks internationally have coincided with Hebrew festivals and commemorations, heightening a feeling of worldwide unease.

Assessment on a Shifting Era

Some commentators argue that a postwar understanding has changed.

“In the UK, there was sort of view there was a period of safety in terms of post-war understanding of what anti-Jewish hatred is,” said a spokesperson for a Jewish leadership council. “I think that perspective is starting to be seen as excessively naive.”

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 come back.”

There is acknowledgement of the endeavours being done within Muslim communities to counter extremist narratives, though mainstream voices can feel overwhelmed.

Appeals have been made for the authorities to publish a new extremism strategy, with an emphasis on tackling the ideological challenge posed by extremism, separate from faith or individuals.

Resilience and Optimism

However, against the backdrop of safety concerns, a note of positive resilience runs through even solemn occasions.

“During a commemoration to mark an solemn date, the conversation included the recent local incident,” a spokesperson recounted. “Unexpectedly, at the end, a musician started playing traditional tunes and people started dancing. That’s the hopeful side.”

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