Jewish Resilience and Revival
In its September 24 “Blogs,” The Times of Israel’s Perri Schwartz aptly characterized worldwide Jewish identity as being “at a crossroads.” Two years after the October 7 massacre and the ensuing worldwide surge of antisemitism, Jews are walking a balancing act between the fear and the pride of being Jewish.
Schwartz writes, “Surveys since the war show that over half of American Jews feel less safe expressing their identity in public. In Europe, synagogues now require heightened police protection, and Jewish schools have tightened security.”
Yet this is just one side of the story. Schwartz calls the other side “deeply personal.” It involves decisions that are not typically reflected in surveys. Should I as a Jewish student speak up on campus? Should I wear my Star of David outside my shirt or keep it hidden? Should our family walk to synagogue today or is it best to stay at home? Do I keep the kippah (yarmulke) on or slip it in my pocket? These are what Schwartz calls the “daily calculations” of the pride of being a Jew versus the fear of being Jewish.
Standing Firm Under Fire
Every action of the isolated Jewish state seems to serve as an excuse for political hostility expressed toward Jews in the nations. The US and Europe are host to a simultaneous surge of ignorant, far-left progressivism along with dark, far-right nationalism, both of which are generating an antisemitic tsunami that is rocking the Jewish world.
College campuses worldwide have become ideological minefields for Jews to traverse. Some hide their identity, simply wanting to focus on their education. Yet campus groups like Chabad and Hillel report deepening commitment and spiking numbers willing to speak up. From lighting Shabbat candles to open defiance at anti-Israel rallies, many young Jews are proving they won’t cower but will gather in community to resist the waves of anti-Zionism and antisemitism crashing against them.
Beyond the campus gates, on a wider societal stage, certainly, many Jews are lying low in hopes of weathering the storm and seeing to more important matters. Yet an equally number are saying by their actions, “We’ve had enough. It doesn’t matter what we do or what Israel does to try to address the blame they hurl at us. So, it’s time for us to be who we are and not be ashamed to stand up for our Jewish values and the legitimacy of our only state.”
Online Resilience
With the internet empowering free expression, social media is a good indicator of the growing resilience of the international Jewish voice. Take humor for example. We get to enjoy more Jewish comedians than ever before! They are having fun with the quirks of Jewishness while using biting satire to expose the ignorance and illogic of the antisemites. Online Torah (Gen.–Deut.) study and Jewish history lessons are likewise proliferating. More young Jews are finding rebuttals to the empty philosophies that have given rise to their opponents’ hollow arguments against them and against their homeland.
Schwartz describes this pressing social crisis as “not an ending but another turning point. Jewish life has always been forged in tension: between survival and flourishing, exile and homecoming, continuity and reinvention.”
In short, Schwartz argues, the current Jewish crossroads presents this generation with a life-defining decision: Retreat to a safe place—if you can find it—or advance Jewish identity by what she calls “joy, learning, culture, and covenant.”
Zionist Resilience
A key component of growing Jewish resilience is the Zionist vision of reclaiming the Land of Israel. Yet in the aftermath of the 1967 Six Day War—amid efforts to appease the Arab world—Israel’s leaders prevented blocked the biblical heartland from being fully integrated into the state. Instead, they tried bartering the land in a land-for-peace deal with the Arab nations. The Arab League responded with a resounding, “No,” in an attempt to leave the Palestinian problem squarely in the lap of the Jews—and quite a problem it has been!
Now, as the October 7 War still rages, Israelis are taking a similar stance as the Jews in the nations: “We’ve had enough. It doesn’t matter how much we compromise for Palestinian statehood or beg the nations to support our legitimate security needs, they still blame us for the Palestinian problem. So, it’s time for the Jewish State to be more Jewish by extending our sovereignty over our heartland, rejecting the failed notion of a jihadist nation on our ancestral homeland once and for all.”
The world heard the resounding message of Jewish resilience echoing in the words of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he lambasted the United Nations General Assembly in September: “Israel will not allow you to shove a terror state down our throats. We will not commit national suicide because you don’t have the guts to face down a hostile media and antisemitic mobs demanding Israel’s blood. This is sheer madness. It’s insane, and we won’t do it.”
From Resilience to Revival
There will be a price to pay—diplomatically and likely militarily—but Israeli resilience, reflecting the strength of Jewish worldwide—could carry the day, allowing Israel to transition from regional victim or mere survivor to regional victor and leader of the Middle East, shining a beacon of hope for all nations.
At a 2025 Knesset (Parliament) hearing addressing online antisemitism, educator and social media influencer Jamie Geller offered a critical insight on Jewish resilience: “While it’s crucial to fight antisemitism, if we neglect to teach Jews why they’re Jewish, they’re not going to know what they are fighting for.”
Echoing Geller’s claim, Aish.com CEO, Rabbi Steven Burg added, “We cannot allow this defensive posture to become our primary focus. The Jewish future demands more than just survival—it requires revival. We need to embrace responsibility, wisdom, and love. That way we can ensure that future generations won’t just know what they’re fighting against, but what they’re living for.”
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