Holidays signify a turning point. A time where something once was, and after the holiday, it turned. Sometimes it’s for the benefit of a person or community, in others, it’s for the harm of another, and rarely it’s both. Holidays are a part of our cultural memory, they are a part of giving meaning to what can feel like another menial day. Due to holidays being important for community building, storytelling, and ancestral connection, they are highly valuable depending on the level of observance and commitment of an individual or community. With anything that is highly valued, those with the ability put safeguards in place to protect a day deemed to be sacred, or set apart from other days.
By any means necessary.
The High Holidays are approaching in the Jewish Calendar, Rosh Hashanah starts the day you’re reading this, Yom Kippur a little more than a week after, Sukkot in the following days, and Simchat Torah immediately after. Each period of time brings its own significance, its own reflection period where groups can move forward remembering the steps taken behind them1. Unfortunately, we live in a world of sustained tensions today, the conflation of a state and a culture, and the battles to claim how one can own the unownable. In 2025, 63% of religion-motivated hate crimes in the USA were antisemitic incidents2.
However,
Prayer is held up when protected.
Charity is held up when cared for.
And Jewish communities are standing strong together, boosting security measures through surveillance cameras, armed guards and emergency trained volunteers3.
Voices
“Fear will not define us, we are strong, connected and determined to live Jewishly, openly, and proudly.” – Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey4.
“Sadly, security has become a major concern for synagogues in today’s world, the challenge remains being welcoming to guests and at the same time protecting those who come to pray regularly. With the rise of antisemitism, it appears that this need is not going away anytime soon.” – Rabbi Randall Mark, Congregation Shomrei Torah, Wayne, NJ5.
“There were dozens of incidents that nobody heard about this year because we took steps with law enforcement to thwart them before anyone could do harm, the mission of our organization is to prevent serious incidents and encourage people to live a Jewish life freely.” – Richard Priem, CEO of Community Security Service6.
“New Jersey sees relatively high levels of incidents and reported suspicious activity because of its large Jewish population, but the community punches above its weight.” – Richard Priem, CEO of Community Security Service7.
“People should feel reassured knowing that there is a massive infrastructure from within the community working with law enforcement to keep people safe, no one should be afraid to openly celebrate this year.” – Richard Priem, CEO of Community Security Service8.
Story
Thankfully, I have been able to be a part of the programming at a synagogue near me. During the summer, I was there just about 5 days a week, where I learned about Jewish mediation, a traditionally Chinese game adapted to the Americas called Mahjong, knitting, and what a worship service in a Jewish context looks like. I hope I can invite you all into the warm and welcoming community that has accepted me.
And the acceptance wouldn’t be possible without Daniel, the security guard who is commonly there when I visit (not their actual name). They’re just as tall as me, a couple more years on him, with a sweet smile and a bald head.
And he’s white.
The vast majority of the congregation I have met,
Is white.
I may be assuming but this is how I felt.
The first time I visited the synagogue, attempting to join in the Mahjong event felt like they were surprised to see me. I felt like they were confused on why I was there. I felt like they were wondering, “Is this guy lost? Is he Jewish? Why would he show up here? Is something wrong?
But Daniel didn’t ask any of that. He didn’t judge me based on my skin color, my cultural background, or anything else.
He welcomed me in.
He followed protocol.
He introduced me to those who run the show.
Daniel was strong, welcoming, encouraging, and reassuring, and though certain measures are being taken to hone in on the high holidays, I know harm and hurt are in honorable hands.
Footnotes
- “Jewish Communities in NJ Are Responding to Rising Antisemitism,” NorthJersey.com, September 8, 2026, https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/religion/2026/09/08/jewish-communities-nj-responding-rising-antisemitism/91482792007/ ↩︎
- “Jewish Communities in NJ Are Responding to Rising Antisemitism,” ↩︎
- “Jewish Communities in NJ Are Responding to Rising Antisemitism,” ↩︎
- “Jewish Communities in NJ Are Responding to Rising Antisemitism,” ↩︎
- “Jewish Communities in NJ Are Responding to Rising Antisemitism,” ↩︎
- “Jewish Communities in NJ Are Responding to Rising Antisemitism,” ↩︎
- “Jewish Communities in NJ Are Responding to Rising Antisemitism,” ↩︎
- “Jewish Communities in NJ Are Responding to Rising Antisemitism,” ↩︎
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