I remember how I celebrated Chanukah before my father passed away during Chanukah. It was a joyous holiday. It is not the same since he passed away. The joy is tempered with sadness. It is the same with Shemini Atzeres. Until three years ago, it was a joyful day. Then came the attack by Hamas on Shemini Atzeres. It is known by most people as October 7. Now every year, I remember those who were murdered. It was the highest number of Jews killed on a single day since the Holocaust.
There are two issues I have tried to grapple with. The first is why, of all days, would it be Shemini Atzeres? This year, I thought of why it could have happened on this day. On Shemini Atzeres, Ashkenazi Jews say Yizkor. Two of the prayers, Yizkor and Kayl Malay, have special texts for those who were killed Al Kiddush Hashem (sanctifying G-d’s name). In other words, they were killed because they were Jews. In many siddurim, there is language for those who were killed in the Holocaust, since it was written before October 7, 2023. Unfortunately, there is a new group.
If these Jews had been killed on another day, those who might remember them would be limited to family members. This way, on their Yahrzeit, they are remembered by all the Jews who are saying Yizkor, which is a considerable number. We might not know their names, but they are remembered.
The second issue is understanding why the world has turned against us. This is a question that has perplexed our community throughout the ages. It occurs under the guise of anti-Zionism and support for those in Gaza. Antisemitism has gone from the fringes to the mainstream. These individuals are well-known figures in various sections of society, such as entertainment and politics. A person like Mayor Mamdani would have been finished politically not too long ago. Not only is he the mayor, but he was profusely praised by the President during a meeting on Yom Kippur. Trump said, “I want him to be a great mayor, and he’s certainly got potential, got great potential.” Except for Sid Rosenberg, there was little to no pushback from Trump supporters, including from the local Jewish papers.
Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. There is a small group of Jews who are against the State of Israel on religious grounds and think that the best way to present their position is by marching with those who support wiping out Jews in Israel and support Hamas. These individuals, plus those left-wing Jews who support them, give legitimacy to the haters. They can say, “How can you argue that we are antisemitic if these Jews agree with us?”
One of the protestors who identifies as being part of Satmar protested with the enemies of Israel. He was picked up by ICE and may be sent back to Israel. The fact that it occurred is unusual. He did not fit the usual demographic. Maybe those who protest with our enemies should see this as a sign that it is inappropriate and should cease their activities. The individual has not gotten the message, as his statement read by his lawyer indicates. “From the Jewish people to our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza and the West Bank and all over occupied Palestine! We didn’t forget you! We are following you and we know that you are facing genocide! Please be strong and continue to believe.” “We know that the Zionist criminal war machine [is] torturing you every day and they want to silence you!” “BUT we will be your voice! We will SHOUT AND DEMONSTRATE for you from New York, Washington, Canada, London and from every place that we can be free in the world!”
Even the anniversary is being co-opted by our enemies. For example, on October 7, 2026, in Sydney, Australia, there is a vigil for Gaza. “Don’t Let Israel Steal the Date.” There are similar events in the United States. We cannot let them change the narrative on October 7. It is our obligation to remember those who were murdered on Shemini Atzeres by including them in the Yizkor prayer and by reminding the world what happened that terrible day, which led to the condition about which they are complaining.
Warren S. Hecht is a local attorney. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
