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Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman feels that her activist work to help tackle antisemitism has “given me a voice and enhanced my career”.
The soap star, 59, best known for playing Chrissie Watts in EastEnders and Auntie Val in Friday Night Dinner, is a vocal advocate for the Jewish community.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the actress reflected on how her outspoken political views have affected her career.
Oberman said: “The acting industry is a herd mentality.
“What I noticed is that what people would say publicly and what they would say privately are very different things.
“And it’s not a very cool or fashionable cause to support.”
Recounting an anecdote from her great-grandmother, she said: “I remember her saying in her broken Yiddish, ‘When they’re burning down your village and you look around for the neighbours and they’re not there, you’ve got to save yourself’.
“And I think it’s been quite traumatic for the Jewish community in the last few years because I think we’ve suddenly realised: where are the neighbours?”
The London-born actress, who has often faced controversy for her public commentary, continued: “I did have a lot to lose, but I do think that courage calls to courage everywhere, and authenticity brings its own rewards.
“In many ways, I feel it has given me a voice and enhanced my career.”
The TV star added: “I never want another actor to think they’ve got to hide their Star of David because they’re going to be pinned up against a wall and given a political purity test.
“We’ve just got to be able to dig deep and accept political differences and get on with making fabulous work.”
Oberman is also a keen advocate against antisemitism in the arts, and recently staged a reimagined Shakespeare adaptation called The Merchant Of Venice 1936.