September 18, 2025
It would be trite to say that this year we experienced unprecedented challenges to our community, our country, Israel, and the world. In the Middle East, we witnessed the continuing captivity of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the ongoing war in Gaza that has claimed so many lives, and the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. At home and around the world antisemitism is on the rise – both from the anti-Zionist left and the White supremacist right. Political polarization, disinformation, and the fraying of the American tapestry of tolerance and pluralism has driven people apart and left us wondering about our future.
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, is a time for reflection, introspection and the renewal of commitments to the divine and to one another.
AJC Washington D.C. exists to keep Jewish communities safe and thriving and ensure Israel’s place in the world. We do this through advocacy, education, and relationship building; doing the hard work of presenting an alternative vision for what our society could look like.
In one of the most critical moments of the Rosh Hashanah service, we pray that God write every human being’s name in the “Book of Life,” granting them a blessed and secure year ahead. We envision all of humanity passing before God together “like a flock of sheep.” While judgement is made on each individual, it takes place within a community. On Yom Kippur, we confess our sins aloud and in the plural – each one taking responsibility for the sins of the other – even though they may not be guilty themselves. This isn’t a burden, but a blessing.
Rosh Hashana reminds us that we are all in this together. Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh, all of the Jewish people are responsible for each other. But how do we act? How do we ensure a secure and thriving Jewish future?
These days, I’ve heard from so many in our Jewish community who feel a profound sense of loneliness. Israel is becoming increasingly isolated, and the fear of antisemitism has risen to the top of our collective consciousness in ways that we never expected. AJC provides an opportunity to act together on behalf of the Jewish people. Sometimes we think that alone, we can’t make a difference. But the truth is, you can. Making change is hard but by participating with AJC you don’t have to do it alone.
As you reflect this Rosh Hashana, consider what it would be like to take responsibility to make a difference in the lives of the Jewish people around the world. No matter if the change impacts one person or a million, it is our obligation as proud Jews to act.
May you be blessed with a good and sweet New Year.
