Jews take the lead in the ranks of self-employed

Jewish people in Britain are the most likely to be self-employed, according to research by the Office for National Statistics.

The study found that one in three (33%) Jewish people ran their own business, compared with 20% of Muslims and just one in 10 Christians.

High-profile members of the Jewish business community include Sir Alan Sugar, the founder of Amstrad, star of the television show The Apprentice and arguably Britain’s most famous entrepreneur.

Jewish men were also far more likely to work in banking, finance and the insurance industry, where around a third were employed.

The findings, from 2003-04, also show more than two-fifths of Jews, Hindus and Buddhists worked in managerial or professional occu-pations.

Professor Barry Kosmin, executive director of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, was not surprised to hear of the high levels of entrepreneurship and achievement.

He said, “It’s interesting to see it from the Government in writing but it’s by no means a shock.”

A tradition of striving for success and independence in business had been created, he believed, becausethe energy of an immigrant community had been fused with an appreciation of education and a fear of discrimination which encouraged self-reliance.

He said, “Jews have always put a tremendous emphasis on education. We are talking about a civilisation that’s been trying for universal literacy for 3,000 years.”

These factors, he suggested, had fused to foster today’s high levels of entrepreneurship.

Prof Kosmin said, “Immigrants tend to be ambitious people because they are divorced from their traditional surroundings, which frees people. It’s psychologically dislocating but it can be empowering.”

Stephen Hamilton, an accountant and the acting executive chairman of Cardiff United Synagogue, said there were other aspects of Jewish cultural life that helped build up the type of confident and motivated young people who can thrive in the business community.

Traditions, he said, helped ensure young people felt valued and part of a community and that they had role models.

He said, “When [boys] get to 13 they have a bar mitzvah and are made to feel they are a man … and they can contribute to society in general, not just within their religion.”

The traditional Friday evening family meal is also treasured by the Jewish community at a time when repeated surveys show British families rarely eat together without distractions.

Mr Hamilton said, “The most important time for us is the beginning of the Sabbath. These days, how often do families sit down and have a meal together?”

A spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews questioned how the figures were compiled and how a Jew was defined.

He said, “The present Jewish community has been in the UK for 350 years. Economically and politically we are as diverse as any other community…

“Historically, Jews were restricted in Europe in their occupations to be debt collectors, lenders and tax officials. That’s very much to blame on the horrible stereotypes about Jewish concerns about money.”

“When the Jewish people came to the United Kingdom, many had little choice but to start businesses for themselves. This was perhaps partly due to religious observances that prohibit working on the Sabbath, and partly due to discrimination.”

He also suggested that as an increasing number of companies seek to accommodate the religious practices of employees there could be a drop in the number of Jewish people starting their own companies.

He said, “A lot of work done by the Board is with large companies which want to consult with the community on how to provide for their employees. Perhaps that trend to work for yourself is dissipating?”