By, Naomi Firsht
2 min read
ByNaomi Firsht, Naomi Firsht
The growing French Jewish community in Britain looked on in dismay and fear as family and friends were directly affected by last week's terror attacks.
Originally from Nice, Simon Tobelem, 45, is now a trustee of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation in London.
He said: "The first feeling of the French community here is of immense sadness because many people are in some way touched by it.
"My mother-in-law lives five minutes from the shop. Someone knew Yoav, one of the victims. If I was staying with my in-laws that is the shop where I would do my Shabbat shopping. It is very real for people here.
"There is a feeling of fear because you cannot prevent yourself from fearing it could happen here.
"Obviously many of the French Jews who come from Paris are now saying they don't want to go back and the next step for them, if they don't stay in London, will be Israel."
It is estimated that 6,000 French Jews live in London. St John's Wood Synagogue has a separate French minyan every Shabbat and there are other exclusively French minyanim in the capital.
Mr Tobelem said: "I think that we should not be complacent; life cannot just go on as usual. We need to be careful. Parents have tried to get strengthened security in schools and have asked me to put pressure on the local authorities.
"One of the key reasons my wife and I moved in 2008 was because the climate was deteriorating.
"I had a lot of discussions with fellow French Jews and they didn't see eye to eye with me. At the time I was still working in Paris and commuting to London. Now everyone says we saw it coming."
Marc Meyer, 55, chairman of Hendon United Synagogue, is from Neuilly, a suburb of Paris, and lives in London with his wife and two children.
He said: "I do feel safe as a Jew here. But as a Jew you always have to think, especially if you wear a kippah. I must say London has been good to me. It is the idea that you can practise and be who you are in a serene environment. England is very tolerant of different communities. I always have a kippah on and never feel threatened.
"I feel more on my guard in Paris. I go there for business in central Paris. I still wear my kippah, but in the metro I put a cap over it because you are trapped in the metro."
Maia Morgensztern, the culture editor-in-chief at French Radio London, said events had strengthened her feelings towards her country.
She said: "I feel very strongly attached to France. I feel more French than ever. When something of your culture is being attacked you realise how you feel about it. I am proud they flew the French flag at the rally in Trafalgar Square. But even so, I would not go back today."