October 7, 2024 marks the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ attacks on Israel. As Jewish groups on college campuses across Ohio plan activities that day to remember those who were killed and pray for those still being held in Gaza, there are plans being made by others who want to use this occasion to glorify the crimes of Hamas, intimidate the Jewish community on campus, and further fan the flames of hatred.

I am writing this Rosh Hashanah message a month before the actual holiday knowing there is a chance that something significant (and potentially negative) will happen before this is published. Between the time I write this – and you read it – it’s possible that haters will be unmasked in disappointing but not surprising ways. That there will be more tragic loss of innocent life. That a politician or celebrity will say something offensive. This is not to minimize any such incident, but rather to recognize the world we live in right now.

For more than 300 days, we have been praying for the safe and immediate release of the hostages taken by Hamas last October. “Bring Them Home Now” is not just some slogan – it’s a plea for humanity.

As Jewish college students prepare to return to campus for the upcoming school year, their administrators must also be prepared to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all, free from hate-fueled intimidation, harassment, and bullying.

Please send a note to County Council members to thank them for withdrawing this resolution that was designed to use covert financial and economic maneuvers as weapons to attack a long-time and loyal ally of the United States.

Like you, we have watched in disbelief as pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses across our country have rapidly become violent, anti-Jewish rallies – complete with direct threats and physical attacks on Jewish students, as well as destruction of property.

Each year, as we retell the story of the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt, we think about seders of the past. Everyone has a role: who reads what part in the Haggadah, who sits quietly hoping they won’t be called on, who asks the four questions, who kicks their sister or brother under the table, who brings the soup or the special family dessert ... who just won’t stop talking ... we all have our roles and our questions.

I am writing this from Tel Aviv where I am with several members of the Greater Cleveland and Jewish Cleveland communities on Federation’s Humanitarian Mission for Business and Civic Leaders. We came to Israel together to see, hear, and begin to comprehend what happened on October 7, 2023, and what that means for Israel and the Jewish people.

Today, Shlomo Mantzur turns 86 years old – and it is the worst birthday of his life.

On Tuesday, February 13, the Senate passed a supplemental aid package that includes President Biden’s emergency funding request for Israel. This is a major win for the Jewish Community, and it was made possible by each and every one of you! Thank you for being a part of the push that got this aid one step closer to final passage.