Building a stronger Jewish future

Every time antisemitism makes headlines, the same questions come up. What should Jewish communities do? How can we be safer? What does the future hold?

These are important questions. But they aren't the only ones worth asking.

As the Jewish calendar moves into the month of Elul, the traditional season of reflection before the High Holidays, the weekly Torah portion presents a practical idea. It doesn't begin with lofty philosophy or dramatic calls for change. Instead, it speaks about caring for people who are struggling. If someone needs help, don't ignore them.

Practically speaking, this means that as we approach the Days of Awe, Judaism places extra emphasis on generosity because it changes us, not because it somehow buys a favorable verdict. It reminds us that none of us is completely self-made, and none of us can build a Jewish future alone.

That message is especially relevant today.

The Jewish world is living through one of the most difficult periods in recent memory. Since October 7, Jewish communities everywhere have experienced grief followed by a surge of hatred that many believed belonged to another era. At the same time, internal disagreements have become louder. Political differences, religious differences, and cultural differences often dominate the conversation.

Disagreement is nothing new; Jews have been arguing for thousands of years. The real question is whether disagreement turns into division. So, history offers a clear lesson: We survived because we understood that, despite our differences, we belonged to one another.

That sense of shared responsibility is easy to celebrate in times of crisis. It is much harder to maintain once the immediate emergency fades. Yet that is precisely when it matters most.

Generosity is one of the simplest ways to keep that responsibility alive. Sometimes it means donating money. Just as often it means giving time and attention, or simply refusing to write someone off because they vote or practice differently than you do.

Communities are built through countless small acts of kindness that rarely make the news. These moments shape the kind of community people want to belong to, even if they don't attract headlines.

There is a tendency to believe that the greatest threats to Jewish life always come from the outside. They certainly exist, and they must be taken seriously. But history also teaches that a divided people is a vulnerable people, while a united people can overcome extraordinary challenges.

That’s why this time of year directs our attention toward giving. It reminds us that, in addition to having shared beliefs, the strength of the Jewish people is measured by how we treat one another.