When anti-Semites pressured a venue to drop Benny Friedman's concert, something remarkable happened. What began as an attempt to silence Jewish music in London has transformed into an even bigger celebration.
After the historic Clapham Grand buckled to anti-Semitic pressure and canceled Benny Friedman's "Am Yisrael Chai Tour," the Lighthouse Camberwell Theatre stepped forward with an offer that speaks volumes: a venue 50% larger than the original.
The story began with a dispiriting search for a London venue, as location after location refused to host a Jewish event - a chilling reminder of growing anti-Semitism in a city once known for its tolerance.
When the Clapham Grand finally agreed, tickets sold rapidly, only for the venue to abruptly cancel a day later, hiding behind vague "security concerns."
But what happened next turned frustration into triumph. Not only did a new venue emerge, but its larger capacity means more people will now get to experience what some tried to prevent - the joy of Jewish music echoing through London's streets.
"Instead of fighting darkness, add light," Friedman responded, quoting the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The January 6 concert will now proceed with even greater impact, while the Manchester show remains set for January 7.
YWN contributed to this article.
