Today marks one year since the devastating attack by Hamas in Israel, a day that inflicted profound and lasting wounds. The trauma of that event is compounded by ongoing violence in the region, most recently with rockets from Iran. Even more heartbreaking is the cruel reality that, after 365 long days, Hamas continues to hold dozens of hostages, denying them their freedom.
The pain of that day has only been deepened by the disturbing rise in antisemitism, leaving many in the Jewish community feeling vulnerable and isolated. It is shocking to realize that in a place where safety and acceptance once felt certain, there are new challenges to a sense of security and belonging.
During these difficult times, Westchester Jewish Community Services has stood as a beacon of hope, comfort, and resilience. Over the past year, we have worked tirelessly to offer support to those grappling with these tragedies. We’ve provided spaces where individuals can gather, share their grief, and begin to heal. We’ve walked alongside our community as they confront this new reality in a post-October 7th world.
At WJCS, we have been there to help parents comfort their children, to guide families through hard conversations, and to provide crucial support to young people navigating the overwhelming news on social media. We’ve been a source of care and compassion for Holocaust survivors, many of whom have been retraumatized by these events and who now worry that the safety they once hoped for may not be guaranteed for their grandchildren.
As we continue this journey together, I ask that we all take a moment to offer support and compassion to our Jewish staff and colleagues during this time. This is a time for us to stand with them, to show solidarity, and to ensure they feel seen, supported, and valued within our agency. Acts of kindness and understanding are more important now than ever.
It has been a year—one filled with immense pain. And in times like these, it can be difficult to find hope. But as I read recently in a piece from Seth Mandel “We are born and bred to hope. Hope is not just for those around us. As adults, there are times we put on a brave face for the benefit of children even when we face inner turmoil, so it is easy to think that the purpose of expressing hopefulness is entirely for the benefit of others. But the real lesson is that the benefit first and foremost comes to the individual doing the hoping. Sometimes the hope is followed by triumph. Sometimes the hope is shattered by what follows, as it has been all too frequently recently. But the hope itself is never wrong. It’s why we’re still here.”
Let us come together and hold on to hope—for the release of the hostages and for a future of peace.
