Our lives as Jews have changed profoundly since this sacred season last year. Hamas’ murderous rampage, and the subsequent war, has renewed our sense of vulnerability as a people, both in Israel and in the United States. Many of us have never seen or experienced such antisemitism before or been so singled out for our belief or belonging. We have lost friends, colleagues, allies, and our sense of safety. Our fears are real and have been substantiated again and again.
Antisemitic hate crimes have reached record highs according to new data from the FBI, rising 63% in the past year. Research from the Jewish Federations of North America shows the emotional toll that this is taking on American Jews, who are “nearly twice as likely to say that they felt at least somewhat concerned for their personal safety (58%) as the general population (32%).” Moreover, Jewish Federations’ research demonstrates that “among those feeling very concerned or concerned all the time, the rate is nearly triple” among Jews (31% of Jews and 13% of the general population).
While we must ensure the physical security of our communities, we should also maintain our deep and enduring relationships with other communities. We need to do so, not only for our security, but also to fulfill our call to higher purpose.
First, our tradition calls on Jews not to self-isolate. The compilation of rabbinic adages, Pirkei Avot, suggests that part of choosing a good path in life means that you should “not separate yourself from the community” (2:4). Rabbi Hillel, who presents this notion, was likely speaking about the Jewish community. But America now is the world’s most religiously diverse society — and may soon be so ethnically and culturally, as well. We cannot distance ourselves from the society in which we live, especially at a time of such diversity.
Even a deeply interconnected Jewish community, with a “surge” of interest and identification since last year, cannot thrive without friends and allies. We must take brave steps to build new relationships that can see us through this time of danger. While the circumstances into which we have been cast are not of our making, we are not lacking in agency to respond with renewed intention and care to them.
Second, while many of us have lost allies and friends since last year, we might not have been looking in the right places for them to begin with. American Jewish communities for too long have looked to white Mainline Protestant communities as the standard by which we measure our acceptance.
American demography has changed, and Mainline denominations have been in freefall for decades. Moreover, many Mainline denominations represent a past that was exclusionary to Jews and many other communities — and have relied upon problematic theologies which depict Jews as a historic relic, rendered obsolete or superseded by Christianity.
We would do well to refocus our energies on authentic relationships with leaders and members of large and growing religious populations — nearly 70 million Catholics, almost half of whom are Hispanic or Asian-American, and 80 million Evangelicals, one third of whom are Black, Hispanic, or Asian. Many are communities in search of genuine mutuality, support, and understanding.
Third, this holy time of year is about looking inward in order to live and act outwardly in a more ethical way. A central term of the season is t’shuvah — which signifies not merely repentance, but also turn and return. The 12th century rabbinic luminary, Moses Maimonides, reflected that t’shuvah g’murah, complete repentance, stems from returning to the same situation and responding differently. This year, we must do so both individually and communally.
The antisemitism we face on campus, in the workplace, and in the public square is unlikely to abate for the foreseeable future. But we can respond to it with greater clarity. As ever, this work should begin internally, in connection to our heritage, which can shape how we live for the better. Then, we need to renew our outreach to other religious and cultural communities.
No Jewish person deserved a year like the one we just had. But we are not powerless in how we approach this New Year. May we look inwards in order to turn outwards and forge the friendships we need to feel and be secure once again.
Stanton, a rabbi, is associate vice president of the Jewish Federations of North America for Interfaith and Intergroup Initiatives.
