LEEDS LEADS AGAINST
ANTISEMITISM (LLAA)
is a grassroots group
Antisemitism threatens Jewish communities around the world and is the driving force behind many extremist and violent ideologies. Leeds Leads Against Antisemitism (LLAA) is dedicated to countering this through education and peaceful activism.
Antisemitism is expressed as hatred toward Jews, through persecution. It denies Jews the right to exist collectively with the same rights as everyone else.
We are committed to fighting this hatred through education and dialogue.
Our Mission
is to combat antisemitism and correct the misrepresentation of Israel.
Our Allies
We connect with a vast network of allies across the UK and Israel. These allies include people from all faiths, Christian groups, the Hindu community, people who do not regard themselves as religious, as well as the relatives of hostages, Iranian peace activists, and local environmental groups who assist with removing offensive anti-Jewish material posted around our city. Together, we work to combat antisemitism. We are also supported by councillors from Leeds City Council, the Community Security Trust (CST), and the West Yorkshire Police Hate Crime Division, to discuss current laws covering discrimination, harassment and policing strategy.
Our support system and network continues to expand.
“Who is a hero? The man that turns an enemy into a friend.”
AVOT OF RABBI NATAN C700–900 CE
WHO WE ARE
Jewish people have long
understood the power of unity
LLAA emerged from the Leeds Jewish Community in March 2024. It formed to combat the rise of antisemitism that emerged after the massacre of Israeli citizens on 7 October 2023, by Hamas terrorists and collaborators, who continue to issue threats to annihilate Israel and Jews in the wider diaspora.
- We push for and drive towards meaningful change.
- We promote effective activism based on reasoned and thoughtful engagement.
- We educate and inform based on evidence, and we expand perspective through dialogue and educational literature to all who wish to engage with us and learn.
- We educate about Jewish origins, history, historic antisemitism, and the emergence of political antisemitism in recent times.
We are grateful to those who support us from within the Jewish community, those outside who stand beside us as allies, and to the strangers we’ll meet along the way that will become our friends.
THE TEAM
Debbie Addlestone
Co-Chair and Founder of LLAA
Debbie is a member of the Board of Deputies, which is the voice of the British Jewish Community and the first port of call for the government, the media and others seeking to understand Jewish community interests and concerns.
She has more than 30 years' experience working in the criminal justice system for West Yorkshire Probation Trust and the National Probation Service. She is a winner of the prestigious Butler Trust Award and the Winston Churchill Travelling Memorial Fellowship.
Marshall Frieze
Co-Chair and Founder of LLAA
Marshall is associated with numerous charities and community projects, including previously with Physcap (www.physcap.org) and currently with The Richard Goldberg Foundation. He has more than 30 years' business experience across multiple sectors in the UK and abroad.
The Committee
Is currently formed of 10 cover roles including admin, publicity, events, advocacy,
social media, research, artwork and design.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2024
Leeds Jewish Welfare Board’s
Pride Awards
The founding members of LLAA were honoured to be awarded with the Community Achievement Award. These awards are nominated by members of the Jewish community.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA),
Civic Hall, Leeds
LLAA presented a deputation to Leeds City Council at Civic Hall, to request that they confirm
their commitment to the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
The proposal was almost universal in its acceptance. A White Paper was also adopted.
2025
Community Hate Crime
and Community Safety
LLAA have been invited by Leeds City Council to join the Community Hate Crime and Community Safety partnerships, and the Hate Crime Operational Group.
Leeds City Council has agreed to work with LLAA to develop an antisemitism community reference group, and are considering establishing an antisemitism awareness week.
ADVOCACY
Antisemitism, the world’s
oldest hatred
Following the massacre on 7 October 2023 in Israel, the Jewish Community came together for weekly advocacy sessions and regular vigils in Leeds. These static, quiet, respectful events show support for the hostages and their families whilst raising awareness of the increasing levels of antisemitism being experienced by Jews everywhere.
LLAA has since become a strong community voice, engaging across the board to combat the antisemitism that is surging through our city and beyond.
As well as the weekly advocacy sessions and regular vigils, we organise occasional marches in Leeds, and travel further afield to join other advocacy groups and individuals at major demonstrations in Manchester and London.
We have supported Jewish students at Leeds University during periods of hostile campus activity and harassment; and continue to support them through any incidents as they arise.
The police encourage the Jewish Community to challenge false accusations of genocide, combat the louder voices from terrorist supporters, and challenge antisemitism, including the blood libels that have become prevalent.
We work closely with other grassroots groups to share information about antisemitic activities for investigation by various authorities, and we attend subsequent court appearances as witnesses.
Our Volunteers
LLAA has grown. We now receive support from a dedicated team of Jewish and non Jewish volunteers of all faiths and none, who join us for our advocacy events. We are grateful to the increasing number of people who stand with us against the lies and the vitriol.
“Thank you to all of our incredible volunteers for your support.
For over a year you have graciously stood with us in the heat, cold, wind and rain, to hold placards advocating for hostage release, hand out educational leaflets to combat antisemitism, chatted with the good people of Leeds, won over new allies, and made a difference in the world.
We’re so happy and lucky to have you. We are honoured and sincerely appreciate your time and dedication to our cause.
To every single one of you we say thank you for all of your dedication and commitment, we couldn’t do this without you!”
Debbie and Marshall
Co-Chairs, Leeds Leads Against Antisemitism.
MERCHANDISE
Pre order
We have recently launched a range of LLAA branded merchandise, including t-shirts, baseball caps, sweatpants and hoodies.
We'll be sharing images of merchandise on here soon. If you would like any more information in the meantime, please message us: hello@LeedsLeadsAA.org.uk or 0345 646 0604
DONATIONS
Please support our important work
Antisemitism is the driving force behind many violent and extremist ideologies around the world; and it threatens Jewish communities globally.
We are committed to fighting this hatred through education and dialogue.
Every member of LLAA gives their time free of charge.
Although we rely entirely on volunteers and operate with low overheads,
our advocacy work requires steady cash flow to enable our work to continue.
Thank you in advance for your donations. We are grateful for your contribution.