Eilean Donan in Scotland. Photo: wiki commons.

Scottish Jews regularly “hide their religious identity to avoid abuse and attack” according to a survey carried out by the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC). Israelis in Scotland reportedly pretend “to be French or Turkish to ‘avoid uncomfortable situations’.”

Some of the negative experiences include being “forced to eat non-kosher food during a hospital stay or singing a Christian hymn in a school choir”. Other disturbing behavior includes being subject to derogatory language such as “you Jew” in school, negative teachers attitudes when getting children exempted from Christian activities  and “anti-Israel sentiment” at university campuses.

SCoJeC’s interim report concluded that most non-Jews did not understand Jewish issues and local communities were being depleted by immigration to Israel and London.

Community members want ” better kosher food provision, wider Jewish education and more social activities outside Glasgow, the country’s largest Jewish community.”