‘I had to grab my identity’ – the tattoo artist cancelled for being Jewish now inundated with requests for Hebrew art

Since tattoo artist Adam Silas told his story of a client cancelling an appointment “because he is Jewish” to the JC, he has been inundated with jobs. What’s more, most of the tattoos he is being commissioned are Jewish-themed.

Last year, Silas received a message from a former client reading: “It has come to my attention that you are Jewish. Is this true? If so, I’m afraid I will have to cancel our appointment as I can’t in good conscience be tattooed by you at the moment, given the current political climate...” He then received a slew of antisemitic messages on his Instagram account.

For example, when he wished his followers Happy Chanukah, one person responded: “insha’Allah your house burns down with you inside it.”

So horrified were readers by the hate messages and death threats Silas had received since October 7 that they flocked to his social media, where he posts pictures of himself celebrating Jewish festivals alongside his artwork.

Adam SilasOne of Adam's designs featuring the phrase 'gam zeh ya'avor' (this too shall pass)

“Within 48 hours of the article, I got over 1,000 new followers on Instagram and received so many messages from around the world, faster than I could keep up with,” says Silas, who has been a professional tattoo artist for six years based at a studio in Soho.

The flurry of messages continued for a couple of days. “It was wonderful to see all these messages from so many people. It was very heartwarming. You forget how much the community does look out for each other.”

Adam SilasA tattoo by Adam Silas with the Chai, meaning 'life'

From that, a raft of people booked tattoos with Silas after seeing his story, with clients coming from across the UK. Others living as far away as America, Australia and South Africa sent messages of support, and many promised that they would seek a tattoo if ever they come to London.

“I've had people from Israel get a tattoo when they're visiting, and people from America,” says Silas. “I've got people booking months in advance because they know they're going to be in the UK.”

Some have requested his existing designs, and others wanted the Jewish-themed art they had dreamed of but had felt unable to ask a tattoo artist. Silas had never done any Jewish-themed tattoos, but found himself being asked by clients to ink Hebrew script on them, or something inspired by their Jewish identity. Some had prepared their own Judaic design.

“People in their 50s were coming to me for their first tattoos – a Magen David, or a bit of Hebrew script, or a Chai.

“They said, ‘I've been wanting to get something Hebrew, or Judaic, but I felt uncomfortable approaching an artist about it, because I've been nervous about the response I'd get.’ I said, ‘It would be an honour to do that for you.’ Every time someone comes to me for a tattoo that is Hebrew or Jewish in any way, I feel incredibly touched and like I am doing something really nice for a fellow Jew.”

Adam SilasA Chanukah-themed design featuring the artist's trademark geese

In the immediate aftermath of October 7, Silas himself felt “compelled” to get his first-ever Jewish-inspired tattoo: a small Star of David on his arm.

“I immediately felt like I had to grab hold of my Jewish identity,” he recalls. “I'd never felt stronger about my Jewish identity than I did after October 7, and I feel like that was a very universal response with the Jewish community.”

Once the article had come out, and he saw the “massive wave of response”, he got one on his other arm – the positive mantra “gam zeh ya'avor” (this too shall pass).

“I've tattooed that phrase on so many people now, and it's really wonderful to see. It’s very uplifting.”

Adam SilasA pomegranate as a subtle nod to a client's Jewish heritage

He also now has a network of other Jewish tattoo artists around the world who “came out of the woodwork” when his story appeared in the JC. He now refers clients to them.

On his frequent travels to tattoo conventions, Silas has seen clients in from all parts of the country, who tell him how hard it is to find a Jewish tattoo artist. “They’ve told me, ‘I feel very uncomfortable around here trying to publicly display my Judaism, but I want to do it.’ So when I’ve been in Bristol, I've done a bunch of Hebrew tattoos for people, and I did a big Star of David wrapped in olive leaves.” It is nice that even if people can't travel to London, I can get to them and they can get a tattoo from me and not have to feel uncomfortable.”

He was just as moved by the support he received from people outside the Jewish community. One non-Jewish client in Vienna felt so incensed by the abuse Silas had experienced that he came over to have one of the artist’s trademark geese designs tattooed on him.

“He got a custom one that wasn't anything to do with Judaism, and he had no affiliation whatsoever. He just felt strongly that he wanted to support me.

"There are so few Jews in the world, it's very easy to feel alone, and this was a big reminder that there are more people out there, not just Jewish people, who do have your back. When you feel like the whole world is against you, it is nice to be reminded that that's not the case.”