Opinion

Stay focussed

OPINION PIECE BY ROBERT FESTENSTEIN

Over the last 2 weeks there has been considerable coverage of the attack in London’s Oxford Street on a bus carrying Jewish children on their way to a Chanukah celebration. As was referred to last week, the BBC has decided to make much of an allegation that there was an anti-Muslim comment made by someone on the bus. The result has been an outpouring of anger against the BBC in relation to their biased reporting.

This anger, justified though it is, has meant that the focus has concentrated on defending the allegation of anti-Muslim comments rather than the attack itself. This column 2 weeks ago made reference to issues concerning Muslim anti-Semitism and only a few days later this attack took place which involved at least one Muslim man. This though has been pushed to one side in favour of the argument with the BBC.

There is now an opportunity available to the Jewish community. Instead of just grumbling to and about the BBC, it is time to grasp the nettle and confront the uncomfortable reality that faces UK Jewry. The current approach by the communal leadership is not promising. Against a background of increased polarisation, both the left and right are determined to maintain their position and criticise their opponents. The left will have it that no-one from an ethnic minority could possibly be anti-Semitic and the right treat anyone from some minority groups with considerable suspicion.

Any group in the middle has to have an eye on both these groups in order to maintain their support, and therein lies the problem. In any attempt to keep everyone happy and demonstrate to the outside world that the Jewish community is not biased in one direction or another, references to antisemitism are whitewashed out. The Board of Deputies in their press release immediately after the attack made reference only to a Nazi salute. There was no reference to the identity of the individual nor the person hammering the side of the bus with a shoe which in Arab cultures, has long been used as the object of insults due to its association with dirt and with being put on the foot, the lowest part of the body.

Other commentators have taken the same approach, concentrating on the allegations concerning the children and largely ignoring the perpetrators. It is time for Jewish communal leaders to be brave and accept the physical risks faced by UK Jews from individuals other than white neo-fascists. This was a bus load of visibly Jewish children which was seen by and then physically attacked by at least one Muslim man. The exclusion of Jews from left wing society might be abhorrent but it is not violent, or at least generally not. The longer silence reigns on this issue the worse it will get.

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

There is now an opportunity available to the Jewish community. Instead of just grumbling to and about the BBC, it is time to grasp the nettle and confront the uncomfortable reality that faces UK Jewry.

Robert Festenstein is a practising solicitor and has been the principal of his Salford based firm for over 20 years. He has fought BDS motions to the Court of Appeal and is President of the Zionist Central Council in Manchester which serves to protect and defend the democratic State of Israel.

HGS hold winter football tournament

Kisharon Tuffkid wins Gold in Barnet!

HGS BARCA win the U8s Winter Cup

HGS held their 2021 winter football tournament last Sunday.

Across two primary school age categories, 14 teams took part in the fun, competitive and entertaining competition.

Many players had been coached by HGS since they the age of three.

HGS Barca were crowned champions of the U8’s tournament performing well in their group matches.

The final against rivals HGS PSG ended in a 1-1 draw before Barca prevailed. Goalkeeper Raffy Schwartz was the hero making two saves in the shoot out.

In the U8’s play-off final, where a silver plate trophy was up for grabs, HGS Napoli

HGS Napoli celebrate winning the U8s silver plate trophy

played HGS Dortmund in a thrilling match that also went to penalties following a 1-1 draw. Napoli were victorious.

The U7’s group had two close finals with HGS Dortmund winning on penalties, HGS Barca were plate winners.

Co-owner of HGS football academy Daryl Phillips said, “Well done to all the teams that took part. All games were played with great spirit with some attractive football and great goals. We were proud to see the progress the children have made over the years in our educational league system. Kisharon’s Tuffkid Nursery is the first in Barnet to win a gold HEYL (Healthy Early Years London) award.

Head of nursery, Janice Marriott and her team won the award for encouraging children to be more active.

“Our main focus for the award was physical development and how to optimise children’s health and well-being through play and movement,” she said. “We saw a huge improvement in our children’s physical awareness and independence, particularly in self-care. When the children started nursery many of them would stand and wait for help with dressing or putting on their coats and shoes. By the end of the year, many of them were able to dress themselves, which is an impressive accomplishment for all concerned.”

Research after the project showed a vast improvement in parents’ understanding of what children needed to be doing at home and in the nursery to help them in their physical development.

Latest research says children under five should be active for 180 minutes every day.

The nursery invited parents to hear authoritative talks on the benefits of keeping children on the go, and the weekly nursery newsletter carried information about physical activities to help prepare children for primary school.

Nurseries and childminders are eligible to enter the HEYL awards, which are funded by the Mayor of London. Entrants are required to run a health project.

Tuffkid has adopted several healthy living programmes previously and achieved bronze and silver awards in the HEYL scheme.

Janice said, “I am thrilled that we have received the gold award. It is a huge achievement for Tuffkid, all our staff and our parents.”

Tania Barney, Coordinator for Barnet’s Healthy Early Years Programmes, added, “I’m so proud of Tuffkid, and the award they have achieved.”

Whether mainstream or with special needs, children at Tuffkid play and learn together without barriers. All achieve unique milestones at a key developmental age.

Tuffkid offers a variety of personalised support including speech, physio and occupational therapy.

Tuffkid Nursery details: www.kisharon. org.uk/education/tuffkid-nursery or call: 020 8201 8488