He said that while many people attended the pro-Palestinian marches as it seemed to be “the right thing to do, within the marches is the antisemitism of the far left, of the Islamists and of people sharing fake truths. This concoction is then going back into the workplace, where Jews are being marginalised as Jewish identity is seen as being a connection to Israel and no longer part of a ‘coalition of good’.”
Gilbert added that the sense of isolation was having an impact on Jewish employees’ mental health. “It’s affecting people’s confidence in the workplace. People are fearful of being openly Jewish or they think that they haven’t had a promotion or a part in a film because they are Jewish.”
While there had been anti-Israel and antisemitic activity on campus for years, said Gilbert, “we have never before had these sorts of issues [in the UK] in the workplace. We may have seen a spike during previous wars in Gaza, but this isn’t a spike. It’s a shift in society.”
(l-r) The Board of Deputies' Victoria Lisek, Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg and MP Stephen Timms at the launch of the BoD Employer's Guide[Missing Credit]
His comments come on the back of the launch of the third edition of the Board of Deputies Employer’s Guide at Parliament in the presence of ministers, MPs and peers.
As well as it being a guide to creating workplaces that are inclusive for Jewish employees by helping them understand Jewish observance and holidays, it also includes a new, extended chapter about preventing antisemitic discrimination in the workplace.
Addressing the launch, Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg said: “Since October 7, there has been misunderstanding about the Jewish community and in some cases antisemitism in the workplace, and we want to be there to help Jewish employees tackle these problems. I want you to know this: We’ve got your back.”
Dan Tomlinson, MP, the co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary group on British Jews, welcomed the publication, saying: “It is more important than ever that Jewish people in this country feel that they can live worship and participate in their workplace, in safety and in confidence. That's why this is a good time to release an updated version of the Employer's Guide so that employers can familiarise themselves with the religious and cultural requirements of their Jewish employees, so that they can continue to receive support that they need in the workplace."
Board of Deputies Vice President Andrew Gilbert (second from right) next to MP Dan Tomlinson at the launch of the Board's Employer's Guide in Parliament[Missing Credit]
Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education, Sir Stephen Timms MP, told the reception: “The British Jewish community should not merely feel accepted in Britain. The community needs to know that Jewishness is a vital contributor to an essential component of Britain and of Britishness. There wouldn't be such a thing as Britishness without the Jewish contribution.”
Faiths Minister Lord Khan also joined the meeting to affirm the Government’s support for Jewish workers.
At the launch, Board of Deputies religious and civil affairs officer Victoria Lisek said that Jewish staff networks were a means of protecting the rights of Jewish workers. “We are very keen that employers who wish to support their Jewish staff will assist in setting up their own networks.”
Gilbert told the JC that the Board was planning to add new staff to handle the “challenges of the workplace for Jewish staff” and in 2025, would be running a conference for leader of JSNs, as well as toolkits and other support for those who work with them.
The Board of Deputies, the JLC and Work Avenue have launched a survey on antisemitism in the workplace. Click here to take part
Click here to access the Board of Deputies’ Employer’s Guide
