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Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman feels that her activist work to help tackle antisemitism has \u201cgiven me a voice and enhanced my career\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In an interview with The Telegraph, the actress reflected on how her outspoken political views have affected her career.<\/p>\n
Oberman said: \u201cThe acting industry is a herd mentality.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I noticed is that what people would say publicly and what they would say privately are very different things.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it\u2019s not a very cool or fashionable cause to support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recounting an anecdote from her great-grandmother, she said: \u201cI remember her saying in her broken Yiddish, \u2018When they\u2019re burning down your village and you look around for the neighbours and they\u2019re not there, you\u2019ve got to save yourself\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think it\u2019s been quite traumatic for the Jewish community in the last few years because I think we\u2019ve suddenly realised: where are the neighbours?\u201d<\/p>\n
The London-born actress, who has often faced controversy for her public commentary, continued: \u201cI did have a lot to lose, but I do think that courage calls to courage everywhere, and authenticity brings its own rewards.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn many ways, I feel it has given me a voice and enhanced my career.\u201d<\/p>\n
The TV star added: \u201cI never want another actor to think they\u2019ve got to hide their Star of David because they\u2019re going to be pinned up against a wall and given a political purity test.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve just got to be able to dig deep and accept political differences and get on with making fabulous work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oberman is also a keen advocate against antisemitism in the arts, and recently staged a reimagined Shakespeare adaptation called The Merchant Of Venice 1936.<\/p>\n