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| EJP looks back on 350 years of history of Jews in the UK
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| 31 October commemorates the petition to readmit Jews to Britain. |
This year, on 31 October, Jews in the UK celebrate 350 years since their re-admittance to the British Isles.
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Rabbi Menasseh
Ben Israel | It was in 1655 that Rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel petitioned the Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, to allow Jews to live in a land that was banned to them for more than 350 years.
In 1290, Edward I expelled the Jews from all of England, becoming the first European nation to do so.
This ended a very dark period for Jews which had seen the first ever blood-libels, massacres and laws meant to subjugate the Jewish population.
Cromwell looks for finances
The civil war in England in the 17th century had almost destroyed the economy and the new ruler, Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, looked for answers to satisfy his economic needs.
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Lord Protector,
Oliver Cromwell | At the same time the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish community had been expelled from Spain, making Amsterdam into one of the most thriving ports in the world.
The leader of the Jewish community, Rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel, saw an opportunity across the sea.
The rabbi moved to London in September 1655 and on October 31 submitted a seven-point petition to the Council of State calling for the return of Jews to England.
Cromwell called the Whitehall Conference of December 4-18, 1655 to discuss Jewish readmission. Many merchants questioned Cromwell’s ideas and Cromwell angrily dismissed the conference, resolving to authorize an unofficial readmission of the Jews into England.
Jews receive rights and protection
In 1656, Cromwell’s oral guarantee and the approval of the Council of State allowed the Jews of England to practice their faith openly.
Other Jews immigrated to England from Holland, Spain and Portugal and opened a synagogue in 1657 called Beavis Marks.
In 1664, Charles II issued a formal written promise of protection and, in 1674 and 1685; further royal declarations were made confirming that statement. In 1698, the Act for Suppressing Blasphemy granted recognition to the legality of practicing Judaism in England.
350 years later the Jews of Britain owe much to the conscience and persistence of a Rabbi from Holland and an English ruler who thoroughly believed in the rights of Jews.
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