Today marks the 53^rd anniversary of Syria and Egypt launching a surprise attack on Israeli forces in the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights, starting what would become known as the Yom Kippur War. I had forgotten about this, and how close these events are to what transpired three years ago.

It is hard to believe that we find ourselves on the eve of the third anniversary of the horrific and barbaric October 7^th attack by Hamas and their proxies on Israel. So much has changed in the world since that horrible day, especially as it pertains to how people view Jews not only around the world, but also locally. There is no question that the rise and proliferation of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment that has targeted the Jewish community is a direct byproduct of the events of three years ago and since.

Since then, our Jewish Federation, along with other Jewish institutions, have been forced to be laser-focused in our work to advocate on behalf of our local community, ensuring that the wider community, including elected officials and leaders throughout the community, have a better understanding of the impact those who have loudly and publicly supported the “heroic resistance fighters,“ chanted “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and so many other outlandish things have had on the Jewish community. And we have continued to stand up and make people aware, as best as we can, that the information being shared and conveyed online continues to distort what really transpired following October 7.

It is also why we began sending out our Israel updates. It was an effort to keep our community as informed as we could with information that might not be as readily available in the mainstream media. I hope it helped provide you with more information and context about what was happening and has continued to unfold, even with the war against Iran.

This event will forever mark our Jewish world…. as I saw online…. some things divide your life into a before and after…. for Jews, October 7 was like that.

What you may not be aware of, though, is that in the midst of all of this targeted hatred, as well as things like the new “litmus test” for political candidates when it comes to Israel, there has been an unprecedented resurgence in Jewish engagement, connection, and involvement.

For the last couple of years, Jewish Federations of North America have been surveying the Jewish community, and the results are astonishing. What they show is that Jewish Americans are showing up and connecting more in Jewish life in a way they did not before the attacks. New data suggests this is no longer a temporary reaction to a single moment, but the shape of Jewish life in America today.

According to the data, “Surgers” were more likely than those who never surged to believe Israel has the right to exist (94% vs. 74%), to feel emotionally attached to Israel (93% vs. 51%), and to say Israel makes them proud to be Jewish (75% vs. 36%).

The survey also found that Jewish Americans remain very concerned about antisemitism, with 65% saying there is “a lot” of antisemitism in the US, up from 45% in 2020.

So, in many ways, the “Surge” has established a new normal. Something for us to think about and consider during this moment we find ourselves in today. And maybe this is the time for each of us to find new ways to connect with our Judaism and our Jewish community. Our Jewish Federation is here to help.