In a normal year, the Nine Days period is filled with reflection over the current state of interpersonal relationships. The primary reason for the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash was sin’as chinam, or baseless hatred. This year, however, global Jewish population is more united than I’ve seen in my lifetime. Obviously, this has everything to do with the events of October 7 and the subsequent wars Israel is fighting, and the increase in anti-Semitic rhetoric on college campuses and on streets all around the world. While we may be worried about what is to come, our unity as a nation is strong.

This past weekend, the decision was made for President Joe Biden that he would not continue pursuing a second term in office. This should come as a major relief to all Americans, as we no longer in danger of having a president in the cognitive decline Biden is currently in. Regardless of your party affiliation, this should come as a relief.

Have you ever wondered why society has become increasingly polarized? It seems like every year, the gap between Right and Left grows - as does the animosity between the groups. There used to be fiscally conservative Democrats and Republicans who were pro-government-based healthcare. These days, the difference between a moderate and far member of a party is less in policy, but more in scale. How pro-life are you? How pro-choice are you? How many crimes should Donald Trump be convicted of? How much do you revere Donald Trump? Why don’t you find mixes of political policy anymore?

The time has come for the state with the largest Jewish representation in the country to make our voices heard. Nobody reading this needs to be informed of the horrendous situation in which we find ourselves in present-day America. It can be dangerous to walk down a given street in New York City with your Jewishness showing, and all the more so on a college campus. 

If you haven’t been following the insanity of the saga of Adele Andaloro, you are missing out on what may be the most mind-boggling saga in New York right now, and if you own a home here and are not careful, her story can easily become yours.