The event is aimed at employees and partner organisations across the Northern city.
Leeds City Council has launched its first antisemitism awareness week, running from 2nd to 6th February 2026.
The week includes a series of training and engagement sessions led by council teams and partner organisations. The aim is to help people better understand antisemitism and how to challenge it.
For context, antisemitism is hostility or discrimination towards Jewish people. It is rooted in long-standing negative stereotypes and can take many forms, including abuse directed at individuals and wider discrimination.
The issue has been highlighted by recent events, including a fatal attack on a synagogue in Manchester last year. The attack happened during the Jewish festival of Yom Kippur, when a man drove into pedestrians and stabbed worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation.
As part of the awareness week, the charity Stop Hate UK will run a session on recognising and responding to religious hate crime and a visit to a synagogue has been arranged for council staff to allow them to learn more about Jewish culture.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: ‘We’re pleased to be running our first Antisemitism awareness week for employees and partners. It is a great opportunity to build a stronger understanding of Antisemitism and its impact, which is sadly on the rise, and also learn more about the Jewish faith and culture.
‘This is one of many events throughout the year where we encourage those we work with to start conversations and learn more about what discrimination and hate looks like today.’
Susie Gordon, of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, added: ‘We thank the Board of Deputies for supporting the creation of the week, and Leeds City Council for coordinating a programme of activity, with partner organisations, that fosters understanding and compassion.’
Leeds City Council runs a number of similar awareness initiatives throughout the year, including those focused on anti-Muslim prejudice, homophobia, racism, transphobia and misogyny.
Image: Gary Butterfield
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