Rosh Hashanah, which means “start of the year” in Hebrew, takes place on the first two days of Tishrei, meaning the first month of the Hebrew calendar.
Rosh Hashanah observances include unique foods, traditions, commandments and celebrations that may vary from family to family. Many attend the religious services at a temple or synagogue, where services are held detailing messages of hope for the new year.
“I love that Jews have our own new year. It’s a great reminder to Jews everywhere that we are not meant to assimilate into society, we are meant to participate while staying faithful to His commandments,” Turning Point USA Ambassador and New York City native Debra Lea told The Messenger.
In 2022 alone, there has been an uptick of reported anti-Semitic threats on Long Island.
In July, anti-Semitic flyers were left on driveways of about 30 residents in Rockville Centre, Oceanside and Long Beach.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke at a news conference about the incident in late July.
“This is not freedom of speech,” Blakeman said with the anti-Semitic flyers in hand. “This communication is meant to alarm people, to harass people and to create an atmosphere of terror.”
In the beginning of September, 3 swastika drawings were found in bathroom stalls at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford.
New York State Senator, Anna M. Kaplan (D-NY), who comes from a Jewish family, made a statement on the incident.
“I’m horrified by the latest discovery of anti-Semitic vandalism on Long Island, and I’m disgusted that one again it was found in a public park where children and families should be able to enjoy themselves without being confronted by vile displays of hatred,” Kaplan said. “We deserve to live in communities free from this garbage.”
Nassau and Suffolk police increased their patrols around the synagogues for Rosh Hashanah.
While Lea isn’t fearful of the anti-Semitic threats, she says there is a greater concern.
“I have never felt less safe walking down the streets of Manhattan in broad daylight,” Lea said. “The sharp and terrifying increase in anti-Semitism isn’t what scares me, it’s the horrible policies that allow criminals to be released faster than their victims from the hospitals.”
“It breaks my heart to see stories of Jews being attacked in NY day in and day out, but my bigger concern is why aren’t people standing up? Where are the good samaritans? What happened to us as a society that we witness people being attacked and do nothing to try and help them. This is a common theme from Jewish to white to black to Asian to transgender,” Lea added.
No alarming threats were reported during the celebration of Rosh Hashanah.
“Rosh Hashanah is our chance to take a step back from society and reflect on our impact. While everyone else is entering the end of the year, with feelings of seasonal depression growing and reminiscing on what their year could have been, Jews have already closed that chapter and started fresh,” Lea said.
