Leeds City Council holds week of events to tackle antisemitism and religious hate crime
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Leeds City Council is hosting its first-ever antisemitism awareness week for employees and partners in the city this week.
Taking place this week (February 2-6), the campaign is the latest addition to the council’s programme of awareness events aimed at engaging and starting conversations around combatting discrimination and hate.
Teams across the council and its partners in Leeds will be offering training and engagement sessions aimed at deepening understanding of antisemitism and supporting staff to confidently challenge it.
Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor James Lewis, called the campaign a “great opportunity” to build a stronger understanding of antisemitism and its impact.
He said: “We’re pleased to be running our first Antisemitism awareness week for employees and partners.
"Our Jewish community in Leeds dates back hundreds of years and we are proud of the huge contribution throughout that time the community has made and continues to make to the city's social, economic and cultural life.
“This is one of many events throughout the year where we encourage those we work with to start conversations and learn more about what discrimination and hate look like today.”
As part of the awareness campaign, Leeds-based charity Stop Hate UK will be holding sessions focused on understanding and responding to religious hate crime.
A visit to a synagogue has also been arranged for council staff to learn more about the Jewish faith, culture, and heritage.
Susie Gordon, of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, said: “Antisemitism awareness week gives people across Leeds the chance to learn, listen and talk about what Antisemitism looks like today and its impact on people’s lives.
“We thank the Board of Deputies for supporting the creation of the week, and Leeds City Council for coordinating a programme of activity, with partner organisations, that fosters understanding and compassion.”
The authority’s antisemitism awareness week is part of several awareness events organised in Leeds throughout the year, including weeks focused on islamophobia, misogyny, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and racism.