By Rachel Avraham
Since the October 7th massacre, the United States has been flooded with public displays of antisemitism. The election for Zorhan Mamdani for New York City mayor on November 4 was a stunning indication that this ugly phenomenon is far from over. Mamdani has made no secret of his antisemitism, and it remains to see how his election will affect New York city and the rest of the country.
Barely a month ago, Jews around the world celebrated the Jewish New Year. With the Trump peace plan developing for Gaza, it was a time for renewal and hope. But in a few months, this hope and the future of New York City and safety of the Jewish people in the rest of the United States will be tested when the new mayor takes office at midnight on January 1, 2026. Rachel Abraham, a frequent contributor to Save the West, explains how Jewish hope exists in the face of new challenges.
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New Year, New Faith: The Hopes of Jews Worldwide
By Rachel Avraham
The Jewish New Year, known as Rosh Hashanah, is more than a change of calendar — it is a collective expression of hope. Across the globe, from Israel to the United States to Europe, from the former Soviet Union to Australia, Jewish communities enter 5786 with both religious and civic aspirations. While they live in diverse geographies, their hopes converge on shared themes: security, freedom of religion, preservation of heritage, and unity.
One of the foremost wishes of Jewish communities worldwide is protection from antisemitism, which has surged in recent years, particularly in Europe and North America. Families hope for an end to hate crimes, harassment, and discrimination. In 2023 on the Gregorian calendar, over 3,600 antisemitic incidents were recorded in the United States alone. For 5786 (the New Year on the Jewish calendar), the greatest hope is for governments to take a stronger, more decisive stand against hate.
Another universal resolution is to practice faith without fear. Whether in New York, Paris, or London, Jewish citizens aspire to attend synagogues, celebrate holidays, and raise their children in safe cultural environments. Thousands of synagogues operate across the U.S., France, and the U.K., with expanded security provided in 2024 to protect worshippers. The wish is simple: that sacred spaces remain places of peace, not targets of violence.
Jewish identity is built on memory, language, and tradition. Communities hope the younger generation will remain connected to the Hebrew language, to Jewish history, and to lessons from the Holocaust. Passing down identity is seen as a sacred duty. Today, the global Jewish population is about 15 million, with more than 50% living outside Israel. This makes cultural education in the diaspora not just important, but vital for continuity.
For many Jewish communities, integration and opportunity are equally important. In the West, hopes focus on career prospects and equal rights. In Eastern Europe and the former Soviet states, the priority is revitalizing Jewish community life, preserving small congregations, and rebuilding institutions once lost.
If their hopes were written with a touch of humor, the list might read:
- In 5786, let there be less antisemitic hate speech
- Let children actually finish their Hebrew School homework
- May the Holocaust inspire history lessons and not just tears
- In world politics, may Jews be seen as partners, not scapegoats for antisemites
Wherever they live, the resolutions of Jewish communities echo the same themes: safety, religious freedom, education, heritage, and justice. These hopes are not only for themselves, but for humanity as a whole, values that transcend borders. The aspiration for 5786 is clear: that for Jews worldwide, the New Year will not simply repeat “old fears,” but mark the beginning of renewed faith, realized hopes, and a safer tomorrow.
New Year, Old Hostilities: Those Standing Against Israel
The year 5786 arrived with fresh hopes around the world. Yet in the Middle East, the old conflicts persist, especially around Israel and the forces that call themselves its enemies. Every January, “New Year’s resolutions” resurface, but on the political stage they often collide with harsh reality. For Israel’s adversaries, 5786 began with many declarations — and few actual prospects.
– Iran’s central aspiration remains to dominate the region, then use that base to take over the world. Its nuclear program has been Tehran’s primary tool. Yet UN Security Council resolutions, combined with sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the European Union, and the combined attack by Israel and the United States in June on Iran’s nuclear facilities, have substantially blocked this dream.
– In Lebanon, Hezbollah’s New Year hope is to expand both its political and military influence. By stirring tensions at the Israeli border, it seeks to present itself as the “flagbearer of resistance.” However, Lebanon’s economic collapse, corruption, and public frustration undermine this narrative. The World Bank reports that Lebanon’s economy has shrunk by over 40% since 2019.
– In Yemen, the Houthi terror group hopes to continue showing solidarity with Gaza by sending drones and rockets, some of which include cluster munitions, at the State of Israel, and threatening ships in the Red Sea, thus effectively reducing trade in the region to the extent that the Port of Eilat was forced to shutdown in July 2025. For the Houthis, shutting down the Port of Eilat is only the beginning, as they also aim to shut down Ben-Gurion Airport and Ramon airport, as well as the port in Ashkelon, thus effectively creating both a naval and aerial blockade on Israel.
For Hamas, 5786 means sustaining its “resistance” against Israel despite the Trump peace initiative. While the terror movement frames itself as fighting for the people, the reality is different: civilians in Gaza continue to suffer daily under Hamas brutality amid the rubble of war and poverty.
The hopes of Israel’s adversaries are not confined to the region. U.S., Russian, and Chinese strategies heavily influence their future. Israel, meanwhile, maintains a stronger position through Western military and technological support. Israel’s defense budget surpassed $24 billion in 2025.
Ambitions abound in the minds of Israel’s adversaries, but reality remains unforgiving. Israel’s enemies continue to recycle old promises, yet outcomes rarely change. Their visions do not serve their own people’s welfare; instead, they prolong war and deepen crisis.
For Israelis, the guiding pledge must remain clear: to uphold peace, stability, and the sanctity of human life. History shows that the true strength of nations is built not on empty declarations,but on justice, prosperity, and responsible leadership.
New Year, New Hopes: The Resolutions of Israel’s Citizens
As Israel entered 5786, its citizens carried both the burden of regional tensions and the promise of fresh beginnings. The threats of rockets, terrorism, and political uncertainty continued to shape daily life.
Yet, despite these challenges, the New Year remained a symbol of hope — hope for safety, prosperity, and a better tomorrow for their families and their nation.
Above all, the Israeli people continue to long for peace. Parents dream of raising their children without sirens and shelters, in neighborhoods where normal life is not interrupted by conflict. In 5786,the foremost resolution is to strengthen security and create the conditions for sustainable peace.
In the past year, hundreds of rockets were launched toward Israel. Citizens’ greatest wish for 5786 is, therefore, a “secure tomorrow.”
Israel is renowned for its economic growth and technological progress, but social gaps persist. Citizens’ hopes include tackling rising living costs, creating more opportunities for young people, and addressing the housing crisis. Housing prices in Israel have more than doubled in the past decade and many young people struggle to buy homes. For students and young professionals, the New Year brings a desire for better access to quality education and technological resources. Many also hope for greater social integration—bridging divides between Jewish, Arab, and minority communities to build a more cohesive society.
Israel ranks second in the world, after the U.S., for startup density. For young Israelis, this translates into hope for innovation-driven opportunities. Health remains a priority for Israeli citizens. After years of strain on hospitals and public services, Israeli people hope that 5786 will bring shorter waiting lines, stronger public health programs, and better support for families and the elderly.
Life expectancy in Israel exceeds 82years. Citizens want to sustain—and improve—this achievement through government investment in health care. If one were to reframe the everyday wishes of Israelis in a humorous way, the list might look like this: “Let’s hear more music than sirens this year.” “May housing prices rise at a normal pace—not like rockets.” “More lectures, fewer exams at universities.” “Waiting rooms in hospitals shorter than a Netflix series. ”Unlike the ambitions of Israel’s adversaries, the resolutions of its citizens are rooted not in hostility, but in humanity. Israelis long for safety, fairness, and a brighter future for their children. For them, the New Year is not merely a change of calendar — it is a renewal of hope.
