Jewish News Today: London Synagogue Attacked on Rosh Hashanah, Jewish Pupils Hiding Identity, and German Police Hunt Knobloch Threat Suspect

Several troubling antisemitism stories emerged on 15 September 2026, spanning the United Kingdom and Germany. A historic London synagogue was targeted with fireworks during Rosh Hashanah services, UK parents reported a surge in Jewish children concealing their identity at school, and German police confirmed they still have no suspect in the death threat made against Munich Jewish community leader Charlotte Knobloch — even as Germany's Foreign Minister visited her in solidarity.

Rosh Hashanah Attack on London's Lauderdale Road Synagogue

Hoodie-wearing youths targeted the historic Sephardic Lauderdale Road Synagogue in London's Maida Vale neighbourhood with what the Jewish Chronicle described as a "rocket firework" attack during Rosh Hashanah. The synagogue counts prominent public figures among its congregants, according to the Chronicle. No further details about injuries or arrests were reported by the source.

Jewish Pupils Hiding Their Identity in UK Schools

The Jewish Chronicle reported that Jewish pupils are concealing their identity as antisemitism spreads through British schools, citing warnings from parents. Parents Against Antisemitism told the Chronicle it has received more than one hundred reports involving children from nursery to sixth form. The accounts describe a school environment in which Jewish children feel unsafe being visibly Jewish.

In a separate but related incident, the Chronicle reported that police are investigating after students from Hasmonean school in Barnet were allegedly slapped on a bus in what is being treated as a suspected antisemitic hate crime. The Chronicle noted this is the second alleged attack in two weeks involving students from that school.

Also before the courts: two teenagers identified by the Chronicle as Harley Elliot and McKenzie Smyth appeared in court after being arrested in a Jewish area reportedly carrying a hammer, a knife and lighter fuel. The Chronicle reported they were remanded in custody amid an ongoing Counter Terror Police investigation.

Germany: No Suspect Yet in Knobloch Death Threat; Foreign Minister Visits

Following the death threat against Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish community of Munich and Upper Bavaria — which was covered in yesterday's article — the Jüdische Allgemeine reported that police have confirmed the investigation is ongoing but that there is still no trace of the perpetrator or perpetrators. The threat, which was found as graffiti, came after Knobloch publicly criticised the far-right AfD party, according to the Forward.

In a significant show of solidarity, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Knobloch in person, according to the Jüdische Allgemeine. No statement from Knobloch herself was reported by the source.

Separately, the Jüdische Allgemeine reported that the Jewish community of Berlin, together with other Jewish organisations, is calling on Berliners to wear a Star of David on Thursday in solidarity following a recent antisemitic attack in the city.

Brooklyn Synagogue: Teen Slashed by Fellow Congregant

A 14-year-old boy was slashed on Monday evening inside a Brooklyn synagogue, the Forward and the Jewish Chronicle both reported. The suspect, named by the Forward as Krybus Shimon, 22, is described as a fellow congregant. The NYPD told the Chronicle the attack is not believed to be antisemitic in nature and that the suspect has a history of mental health issues. The Forward described the suspect as an "emotionally disturbed person," attributing that characterisation to police. One man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Antisemitism Online: Experts Warn of Hidden Radicalisation

Extremism researchers cited by the Jüdische Allgemeine warned that antisemitic and misogynistic narratives are increasingly embedded within mainstream lifestyle content on social media platforms. According to the paper, young people are being exposed to hateful content that is disguised within otherwise unpolitical posts — making it harder to identify and counter.

A separate process story from the Jüdische Allgemeine reported that an attempt to appoint an antisemitism commissioner at Berlin universities ended in failure, with the selection process abandoned in August after becoming politically contentious. The paper described the episode as a "debacle."

Activist Cleared After Painting 'Free Palestine' on Churchill Statue

A UK court cleared an activist identified by the Jewish Chronicle as Olax Outis, also known as Caspar San Giorgi, of criminal damage after he painted "Free Palestine" on a statue of Winston Churchill and labelled the former prime minister a "Zionist war criminal." The jury accepted his argument that the paint could be washed off and therefore caused no damage, according to the Chronicle. The verdict is likely to concern Jewish community groups already alarmed by rising anti-Jewish sentiment in public life.

Macklemore Claims Jewish Billionaire Had Him Removed from Tour

Rapper Macklemore, described by the Jewish Chronicle as an anti-Israel artist, publicly blamed New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft — whom he described as a Jewish billionaire — for orchestrating his removal from Ed Sheeran's tour, alleging that Kraft rallied other stadium owners against him. The Chronicle reported the claim without independently verifying it. Kraft has not responded publicly, according to the source.

Labour MP Calls for Military Action Against Israel

A Labour MP called for UK military action against Israel, the Jewish Chronicle reported, with several other parliamentarians demanding additional anti-Israel measures from the government following sanctions imposed on West Bank settlements last week. The Chronicle did not name the MP calling for military action in the summary available. The development comes as diaspora Jewish communities in the UK watch British government policy toward Israel with growing unease.

Dresden Jewish Community Returns Home After Three-and-a-Half Years

On a more celebratory note, the Jewish community of Dresden marked its return to its synagogue and community centre on Monday after three and a half years of renovation work, the Jüdische Allgemeine reported. The return was celebrated with a gala concert and exhibitions, and coincided with the hundredth anniversary of a milestone the paper did not fully specify in its summary. The reopening represents a significant moment for one of Germany's re-established Jewish communities.

Hadassah Opens First European Medical Centre on Cyprus

Hadassah Medical Centre has opened its first European facility, located in Limassol, Cyprus, according to the Jewish Chronicle. The centre is intended to serve Cypriot residents, Israelis living on the island, and international patients. The opening extends the reach of one of Israel's most prominent medical institutions into the European diaspora sphere.

Yad Vashem Publishes Holocaust Survivors' Letters in German for First Time

More than 80 years after the end of the Holocaust, Yad Vashem is publishing a collection of letters written by Jewish survivors in the immediate postwar period — now appearing in German for the first time, the Jüdische Allgemeine reported. The volume brings the words of survivors directly to a German-speaking audience at a time when living memory of the Shoah is increasingly rare.

Henry Ford's Antisemitism to Be Addressed at Fair Lane Estate

When the Fair Lane estate — the historic home of Henry Ford — reopens to visitors in June 2027 after 17 years, it will include material confronting Ford's antisemitic history, the Jüdische Allgemeine reported. The paper described this as addressing "a particularly problematic chapter" of the former resident's legacy. This follows coverage yesterday of the broader question of how Ford's antisemitism is being reckoned with publicly.

Sources

Back to Jewish News

SHOP BY CATEGORY

Israel War Winner Israel tee in Black - front view
Men
J.E.W.I.S.H. Jewish pride t-shirt in Lavender - front view
Women
Be aware jewish mother Jewish pride kids sweatshirt in Sport Grey - front view
Kids
FCK HMS Jewish pride tough case for iphone® in Matte - front view
Accessories