One Year Since October 7th: A Reflection

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One year ago, during this week, still shell-shocked from the events of October 7th, I wrote the following article, Have Freakin’ Conviction!

I could have never imagined that over a year later, our brothers, sisters, and children would still be held captive by the most evil and genocidal cult alive today.

But I also couldn’t have imagined how much more robust, connected, and powerful the Jewish people would become because of this unspeakable tragedy.

This week, we observed Yom Kippur, a day of deep reflection. Twenty-four hours of fasting and praying—it’s the most sacred day of the year for the Jewish people. It’s a time to give and receive forgiveness and to move forward, intent on doing better—better than before, better than last year, better than what’s comfortable.

As in past years, I expected to walk away from the day with a lighter heart and a deeper soul. But I didn’t expect to walk away with images of hope directly related to the most tragic day since the Holocaust and the events that have transpired since.

Here’s what I saw.

A synagogue bubbling with the vital energy of so many returning and re-committed congregants.

Young people proudly wearing their Star of David necklaces.

Diaspora Jews awakened to the understanding that anti-zionism is an old and tired proxy for anti-Semitism and are now willing to use their voices to call it out.

College students who endured the worst year of their lives in the 2023-2024 school year and returned to school in September, this time prepared, proud, and ready to fight for the forces of good.

A rabbi who spent a year at Harvard and was happy to let his congregation know he was DONE with Harvard!

A photo of every single victim of the October 7th massacre and hostages on the wall of the synagogue reminding us to keep their names ALIVE.

Yes, I saw a people step into their power and own not only their fate but also their destiny. And seeing what I saw lets me know what I know for sure.

And that is:

When your core is weak, tragedy can erase you. But when you are strong from within—when your core values hold you up like the steel beams of a skyscraper—tragedy and hardship only make you stronger.

We all need a wake-up call sometimes.

There are many more good people in the world who are righteous and fair. But those who seek violence and destruction almost always speak or yell louder. The silence of good people is the dirty petri dish that allows the virus of hatred and evil to proliferate.

Jew Hatred is a disease, and it’s often genetic.

Quiet Jews are a vote for dead Jews.

Lastly, and perhaps the most painful lesson of the past year, is the confirmation of what I wrote a year ago:

Israel and the Jewish people will survive this present holocaust. In this case, unfortunately, but truthfully, practice has made perfect. We have risen from the ashes so often that it’s now in our DNA.

But when we do, we will remember who stood by us and those others who pretended to be a ghost.

So many friends, Jews, and non-Jews, proved to be courageous voices for good. But many turned out to be ghosts that have no place in the lives of a people who choose life above all else.

After Yom Kippur, the new year begins in earnest for Jews. We wish each other a sweet year—a year filled with blessings. But there’s no denying that this year feels and is different. We would be willingly blind not to acknowledge that this year, we are literally fighting for our existence as we battle for our homeland.

New beginnings offer hope, and you don’t have to be Jewish to turn a new page and a fresh start.

Begin by asking yourself two questions that will show you who you are and maybe even help you identify who you want to become in this new year.

What/who am I willing to sacrifice for?

Where/when am I being silent when I can/should speak out?