London Synagogue and Muslim Neighbors Forge Unbreakable Bond After Attack
In a powerful display of interfaith solidarity, members of the Somali Bravanese community stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their Jewish neighbors at Finchley Reform Synagogue in London, just days after the synagogue became the target of an attempted firebombing. The heartwarming reunion marked the continuation of a remarkable relationship that began thirteen years earlier when the roles were reversed.
A History of Reciprocal Support
The bond between these two communities was forged in 2012 when the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association's center was destroyed in an arson attack. Recognizing their Muslim neighbors would be without a place to pray as Ramadan approached, Finchley Reform Synagogue immediately offered their building for evening prayers throughout the holy month. This arrangement continued for four years until the Somali Bravanese community could rebuild their own center.
"We became a family," said Asmaa Mohamed Ali, director of the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association, shortly after embracing Cantor Zöe Jacobs of Finchley Reform Synagogue. "We got to know the similarities that we have."
Returning the Favor
When news spread this week about the attempted attack on the synagogue, the Somali Bravanese community immediately mobilized. "As soon as my community heard this, they said: 'They helped us a lot. They were there for us during our difficulties. Now it's our turn. What can we do?'" explained Mohamed Ali.
On Friday evening, as hundreds of synagogue members gathered for Shabbat services in determined solidarity, children from the Somali Bravanese community arrived with homemade signs celebrating the bond between the groups. Other members brought dozens of donuts to share after the service, creating a heartwarming atmosphere despite the tense circumstances.
Growing Security Concerns
The attempted attack occurred early Wednesday morning when bottles containing a liquid believed to be petrol were thrown at the synagogue building. A man and woman have been arrested in connection with the incident, which police are treating as an antisemitic hate crime.
This incident follows last month's firebombing of four ambulances owned by a Jewish charity in nearby Golders Green, an attack claimed by a group with links to Iran. Local MP Sarah Sackman acknowledged there is "fear and genuine anxiety" among the Jewish community but emphasized their resilience.
"FRS is not just a place of worship, they host a nursery, a homeless shelter, a refugee drop-in, educational and community activities," said Sackman. "It is a place that embodies the best of community and which reaches outwards. British Jews do not want to live behind higher and higher walls."
A Changed Reality
The warm, crowded service inside the synagogue contrasted sharply with the security measures outside. All visitors had to pass through high gates, show photo identification, and have their names checked against a list—a reality that Cantor Zöe Jacobs acknowledged with some regret.
"When we built this building four years ago, I remember really strongly saying: 'Why are we having a fence around our building? That's not our message, we want to be an open building,'" Jacobs recalled. "Now, honestly, that feels a bit naive and I guess I'm glad I didn't win that one."
Rising Antisemitism in the UK
According to research by the Community Security Trust (CST), which provides security and support to Jewish communities across the UK, antisemitic incidents have increased significantly since the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza.
The organization identified 3,700 incidents in 2025 alone, including the deadly October knife attack at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester that left two people dead and three seriously injured—the first fatal antisemitic incident in the UK since CST records began in 1984.
Dave Rich, CST's head of policy, noted: "There's a huge amount of policing going into protecting the Jewish community at the moment, which is both very welcome and a sign of how seriously they take the threat."
Determined Resilience
Despite the security concerns, Finchley Reform Synagogue remains committed to its open and welcoming ethos. Rabbi Deborah Blausten told the congregation: "When dark forces come knocking at our doors, it hurts. It really hurts." However, she emphasized that the synagogue remains "a place of welcome … Whatever life throws at us, we do not walk alone."
The congregation was invited to join worshippers at the local Anglican church on Sunday, further extending the circle of interfaith solidarity. As members left the service, they were instructed to socialize inside the building rather than lingering outside the gates—a small but significant adjustment to their community life in challenging times.
This partnership between the synagogue and Muslim community center represents what MP Sarah Sackman called a "quiet, radical act of solidarity and allyship"—a powerful example of how communities can support each other through adversity and build bridges where others might build walls.
