Rosh Hashanah 2026: October 7 awakened Jewish connection - now we must make it last - opinion

As Rosh Hashanah 5787 begins, the writer reflects on the Jewish awakening since October 7, 2023, noting that for the first time since the attack, all hostages have been returned from Gaza. He cites the 'Surge' documented by Jewish Federations of North America, where 43% of American Jews sought greater engagement in 2024, and 31% still did a year later. The piece calls for turning this crisis-driven return into lasting community and belonging.

In this Rosh Hashanah opinion piece, William C. Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, reflects on the Jewish awakening since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. He notes that for the first time since the attack, all hostages — living and deceased — have been returned from Gaza, closing what he calls an agonizing chapter. Daroff references the 'Surge' documented by Jewish Federations of North America: in 2024, 43% of American Jews reported engaging more or seeking to engage more with Jewish life; a year later, 31% were still seeking greater engagement. He argues that this turn inward was partly a response to rising antisemitism and Jew-hatred. Daroff describes chairing the third gathering of the J50 Forum at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, where leaders from 50 largest Jewish communities recognized their shared peoplehood despite different challenges. The piece calls for sustaining this renewed connection beyond the immediate crisis, urging communities to create on-ramps for Jewish engagement and to welcome those who have never attended a Shabbat dinner or learned the prayers. Daroff concludes with Rachel Goldberg-Polin's mantra — 'Hope is mandatory' — and wishes readers Shanah tovah.