High Holy Days 5786

As you begin preparing for the High Holidays and shaping the messages you’ll bring to your congregations during this sacred season, we offer this resource from JCPA. It includes key findings, talking points, and language rooted in our values—designed to help you speak honestly and courageously about antisemitism, democracy, and the work we must do together in this critical moment.

We are living through profoundly painful and deeply complicated times.

This October will mark two years since October 7—the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The pain is still raw. The hostages are still not home. The war rages on with an increasingly dire situation in Gaza. Innocent lives continue to be lost. Our community is grappling with deep trauma, fear, and grief.

Here in the United States, antisemitism is on the rise—fueled by both longstanding and newly emboldened conspiracy theories—and increasingly targeting Jews for our real or perceived relationship to Israel. Too many Jews have been pushed to the margins of movements, classrooms, and communities simply for expressing a connection to their heritage or to the Jewish homeland. And in some cases, this rising hate has turned violent—from the shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum, to the firebombing of a Jewish center in Boulder, to the arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home.

This also did not start on October 7th. Antisemitic conspiracy theories—about Jewish power, dual loyalty, and control—have driven a devastating cycle of hate and violence for years, including the 2018 mass shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life, the deadliest attack on our community in U.S. history. These ideas are no longer fringe; they’re being amplified by political leaders, influencers, and platforms with enormous reach.

At the same time, our democracy is being undermined. Extremist actors—many of whom use antisemitism as a tool to advance their agenda—are attacking democratic norms and rights, dehumanizing entire communities to pit us against one another, and further polarizing our politics and our society. And far too often, we’re told that we must choose: between standing up to antisemitism or standing for democracy and civil rights. 

This choice is not only false, it is incredibly dangerous.

The truth is clear: Antisemitism and democratic decline are deeply interconnected. Antisemitism doesn’t just threaten Jews—it is a key weapon used to erode trust in democratic institutions and scapegoat entire communities. And history shows us that Jewish safety has always depended on the strength of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the protection of rights for all.

That’s why we must reject isolation and zero-sum thinking. The path forward lies in coalition—working across lines of difference to build understanding, pursue shared safety, and strengthen the foundations of our democracy.

Key Talking Points:

• There is no inclusive democracy without Jewish safety – and no Jewish safety without inclusive democracy. We reject this false choice being advanced by extremists on both ends of the political spectrum.
• Antisemitism functions as a conspiracy theory that undermines democracy. It uniquely operates as an insidious lie about Jewish power, designed to pit communities against one another, erode trust in democratic institutions, and sow societal distrust.
• There is a feedback loop between democratic decline and rising antisemitism. As democratic norms falter, antisemitism flourishes—and antisemitic hate, in turn, continues to fuel broader extremism.
• Before October 7th we were already facing a crisis on antisemitism, hate, and extremism, including a cycle of antisemitic and white supremacist violence targeting Jews and many others and record-level hate crimes.
  
• Post-October 7th, antisemitic conspiracy theories have surged. Lies about “Jewish” or “Zionist” control have proliferated, continuing to animate broader hate and reinforce democratic erosion. While critique of Israeli policy is not only fair but important to our democratic discourse, holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the Israel government is antisemitism – period.
• Jewish safety depends on inclusive, pluralistic democracy. We must advance inclusive, multiracial democracy in service of Jewish safety, and we must combat antisemitism in service of inclusive, multiracial democracy.
• The conversation on antisemitism remains too siloed. Understanding antisemitism as a narrow issue – rather than as a threat to our democracy that fuels, animates, and connects with other forms of hate and extremism – misses the chance to build coalitions and solidarity with other communities—especially at moments when shared safety and democracy are at risk.
• Building bridges and coalitions is essential. Extreme voices are telling us to turn inward and pitting us against one another. We must reject zero-sum, binary thinking and partner across lines of difference—understanding that Jewish safety is inextricably linked with the freedom and safety of all Americans. Standing for Jewish safety should never come at the expense of others—and advocating for others should never mean erasing Jewish safety or dignity. Allyship rooted in shared values enables both/and commitments.
  
• Allyship requires risk and discomfort. True allyship often means showing up even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or when one’s own identity or narrative is being challenged. Growth and trust emerge through sustained presence, not perfect agreement.
• Stay in the room—even when it’s hard. Walking away from hard conversations and challenging coalitions too quickly cedes space to extreme voices and narratives. Staying engaged—even in tough conversations—allows for dialogue, humanization, and long-term influence.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD TALKING POINTS

Holiday Divrei Torah

In the face of rising antisemitism, deepening polarization, and threats to the democratic values that have allowed Jews to thrive, this sacred season offers us a powerful opportunity to speak honestly about the challenges we face—and recommit to the collective work of countering hate and protecting our democracy.

JCPA’s Senior Vice President, Rabba Rori Picker Neiss, offers the following divrei Torah for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot to support your sermon preparation and spiritual leadership. Each reflection weaves together Torah, Jewish tradition, and the moral imperatives of this moment—reminding us that Jewish safety and advancement are inextricably linked to the strength of our democracy and the well-being of all communities.

We hope you find these teachings meaningful and grounding as you guide your communities into the new year.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD DIVREI TORAH:

Rosh Hashanah

Yom Kippur

Sukkot

Key Resources

Antisemitism, Democracy, and Coalition Building:

READ: Antisemitism x Democracy Report
An analysis of the intersections of antisemitism and threats to democracy, and efforts to better connect the issues, written by JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick.

READ: Mainstream Jewish Organizations Release Statement Rejecting False Choice Between Jewish Safety & Democracy
A JCPA-led statement by a coalition of ten organizations representing a broad swath of mainstream American Jewry – including three of the four denominations – rejecting the false choice between confronting antisemitism and upholding democracy.

WATCH: JCPA in 2024
This video highlights JCPA’s partners talking about the urgency of both countering antisemitism and protecting democracy.

WATCH: Antisemitism, Democracy, and the Struggle for an Inclusive America at Sixth and I Synagogue
A conversation about the link between Jewish safety and our democratic freedoms with Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD); Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs; and Maya Wiley, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, moderated by Yolanda Savage-Narva.

WATCH: Leaning Into Hard Conversations
JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick joins Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a conversation on antisemitism in all its forms and the threat it poses to our communities and democracy.

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of New York’s Park Avenue Synagogue called this “the most refreshing 30 minutes on YouTube I have ever experienced.” Watch the sermon here.

Rabbi Rachel Timoner of Brooklyn’s Congregation Beth Elohim also reflected on this conversation in her sermon here.

READ: Holding Space in the Middle, Fighting for Democracy and Against Antisemitism
Cincy Jewfolk interviewed JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick about holding space in the “complicated middle” during an increasingly polarizing political climate.

READ: Civil Rights Coalition Joint Statement on Antisemitic Hate Crimes
JCPA and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights issued a statement from 65 civil rights organizations on recent antisemitic attacks, underscoring that targeting Jews over actions of the Israeli government is antisemitic and unacceptable.

WATCH: JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick on CNN: Real Concerns About Antisemitism Are Not an Excuse to Undermine Democracy
Discussion with Anderson Cooper on balancing legitimate concerns about antisemitism with protecting democratic norms and civil liberties.

WATCH: JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick on MSNBC: The Antisemitic Attack in Boulder, CO Did Not Occur in a Vacuum
Analysis of how normalized antisemitism threatens all communities and democracy itself.

READ: JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick in The Contrarian: The attack on Shapiro’s home didn’t happen in a vacuum
Examines the broader normalization of antisemitic conspiracy theories, hate, and political violence.

WATCH/READ: Rabbi Stephanie Kolin’s Sermon on Fighting Antisemitism and Protecting Democracy, Congregation Beth Elohim. “It doesn’t make Jews safer to undermine the core tenets of our democracy.”

WATCH: Rabbi Rachel Timoner, Congregation Beth Elohim, Rosh Hashanah 5785

WATCH: Rabbi Jill Maderer’s Sermon on Coalition Building, Congregation Rodeph Shalom

Education:

READ: JCPA Fact Sheet on Jewish Safety and the Department of Education
A comprehensive fact sheet on what dismantling the Department of Education means for Jews and other vulnerable communities.

READ: To Fight Antisemitism and Preserve Democracy, Educators and the Jewish Community Must Partner Closely
Op-ed by JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick and AFT President Randi Weingarten highlighting the connection between robust public education, strong unions, democratic values, and Jewish safety.

READ: JCPA Advances a Collaborative Approach to Countering Antisemitism in Schools.
JCPA has been engaging with the NEA on antisemitism, including on a recent divisive resolution, after which NEA reaffirmed its commitment to academic freedom, association rights, and the safety of Jewish, and all, students and educators.

READ: Addressing Antisemitism Through Effective Union Action
The NEA’s Jewish Affairs Caucus rejected attempts to use antisemitism to weaken the labor movement, calling for greater engagement as the best solution to antisemitism wherever it arises.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

READ: JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick’s Remarks at the Demand Diversity Emergency Roundtable
Remarks from the National Urban League’s Demand Diversity roundtable on the importance of protecting DEIA to Jewish safety and ensuring efforts are inclusive of the Jewish community.

If you would like to suggest additional resources or sermons for this page, please email jcpainfo@thejcpa.org.