Jewish leaders thank community for standing with them after vile anti-Semitic attack on Blackpool synagogue

Synagogue faith leaders have thanked the Blackpool community for standing with them after they were subjected to a horrific anti-Semitic hate crime.

The Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation described a shocking attack on their place of worship as ‘upsetting’, but said the outpouring of love from the community in the wake of the incident turned a ‘distressing time into love.’

Nazi symbols were among those daubed across the entrance to the premises of the Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation in central Blackpool. The Gazette has purposefully chosen not to share any images of the horrific anti-Semitic vandalism.

Community and faith leaders across the resort and the Fylde coast also shared their support and condemned the hate crime as ‘appalling’, saying that those responsible should feel ‘ashamed’.

Police said an investigation is now underway and they are treating the incident as a hate crime.

Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation said: "Thank you to everyone that has already reached out to us, either in offering help or support or just kind words. There are still some lovely wonderful people in this world so thank you from our whole community. You've turned a distressing time into love."

Rachel Tax, president of the Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation, was alerted to the graffiti by a member of the congregation who had attended the premises to do some gardening. “My feelings when I first saw it were horror, disbelief and sadness,” she said. “The Reform Congregation has been in Blackpool for 65 years and we have never had any trouble like this before.

“The Blackpool community has always been very welcoming to Jewish people and we are so grateful for all the support which has been shown to us since this incident. It is only this year that we have had to introduce security, because of events elsewhere, but we are looking at stepping it up now.

“We are one of the only synagogues anywhere not to be fenced off but we might well have to look at that also now.”

Rabbi Danny Bergson of the St Anne’s Hebrew Congregation, who is also the Stakeholders Manager at the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and region, said: “Jewish residents across the Fylde coast have been appalled by the cowardly graffiti attack on the Blackpool Reform Synagogue which has seen Nazi symbols daubed across the front entrance.

“As upsetting as this is, at the same time we thank the many friends and supporters of the Jewish community who have rallied behind us. This includes the Lancashire Police who are increasing their patrols of Jewish places of worship as well as Lancashire County Councillors who are actively ensuring that statutory bodies are providing the right level of support and protection for the Jewish community.

“Since October 7, 2023 (the date of the mass casualty incident in southern Israel), there has been an unprecedented spike in antisemitism globally leading in the UK to the horrific terror attack in Heaton Park Synagogue, Manchester.

“It is important people understand that Antisemitism does not come from one source. It is coming from many places including the Islamic terror, far left groups and the far right. The hatred that starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews and threatens the very fabric of our free society.”

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region said: "We are appalled by the antisemitic graffiti discovered at Blackpool Reform Synagogue. The use of Nazi imagery is a chilling reminder of the ongoing threat posed by the far right whose appalling hatred continues to attack Jewish communities.

“We stand in solidarity with the Blackpool Reform Synagogue congregation. Antisemitism must be called out, confronted and challenged wherever it appears."

The Fylde Coast Hindu Society said in support: "We hope all our community members are safe and may God give us all strength to stay positive and stand together against hatred."

Cllr Jane Hugo, deputy leader of Blackpool Council and a councillor for Talbot ward, which includes the synagogue, said: “We are all appalled by this attack on the synagogue - those responsible should feel deeply ashamed of their actions.

“No-one should be made to feel unsafe as they go about their daily lives, and particularly not in a place of worship. We stand in solidarity with our Jewish community. Blackpool is a town that has a long history of welcoming people from all backgrounds and faiths, and we work hard to keep it a tolerant, respectful and safe place.”

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South: "I am appalled by the discovery of antisemitic graffiti at Blackpool Reform Synagogue and unequivocally condemn this hateful vandalism. There is absolutely no place for religious hatred in our town or our society.

“Targeting a synagogue with hateful graffiti is an attack on the Jewish community and the values of respect, tolerance and solidarity that we must defend. My thoughts are with the congregation and the wider Jewish community in Blackpool and they have my full support.

“Nobody should face intimidation or discrimination because of their faith. Every Jewish resident deserves to feel safe, respected and able to practise their faith without fear. I’m proud that the community has rallied to support the synagogue – this is the Blackpool I am proud to represent.

“We are a town built on the strength of our communities and we must continue to stand united against those who seek to spread fear and division."

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “We received a report that racist graffiti had been sprayed on an outside wall of the Jewish Synagogue, Raikes Parade, Blackpool. It is believed the graffiti was sprayed in the early hours of Tuesday, October 20.

“An investigation has been launched, and this is being treated as a hate crime. We recognise that this will have caused alarm and distress in the community and we are working to identify the offender as quickly as possible.

“Anyone with information which could help the investigation, please contact 101 – quoting log 1167 of 20th October.”