Jewish communities on high alert in wake of wars, holidays and hate crimes

Two explosions near Israel’s embassy in Copenhagen rocked the Danish capital in the early morning hours on Wednesday, Oct. 2. There were no reports of any injuries or damage to the building.

Three people were reportedly questioned by police, but it is unclear if they are connected to the alleged crime. The explosions did force a nearby Jewish school to close for the day as a precaution.

The blasts come as anti-Jewish hate crimes are reportedly on the rise. Amidst heightened tensions, the conflict between Israel and Iran threatens to spread across the Middle East and as the one-year mark for the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel approaches.

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In the United States, data shows that antisemitic hate crimes rose 48% across 20 major cities in 2023, and the Center for Study of Hate and Extremism said that for the first time since it started tracking numbers, Jews were the most targeted group for hate crimes in the largest American cities.

Meanwhile, Jewish schools, community centers and synagogues are on high alert across the nation as Jews mark Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur over the next days.

The New York Police Department is beefing up patrols around the city’s synagogues ahead of the holidays and heavy weapons teams were reportedly seen outside of Jewish places of worship and sacred Jewish sites.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., assured New Yorkers that there are no reports of threats, but the state is remaining vigilant in the wake of 180 ballistic missiles being launched from Iran toward Israel on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, D, also echoed Hochul’s call. Posting on the social media platform X.

“We remain committed on the local and state level to ensure New Yorkers of all faiths, including our Jewish New Yorkers, are SAFE,” Adams wrote.

Experts note antisemitic crimes usually see an uptick during Jewish High Holy Days and they also rise with every conflict in the Middle East.

The growing anxiety among the Jewish community is leading to places of worship and religious schools ramping up security, and some households are keeping holiday celebrations low-key this year.

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President of the Union for Reform of Judaism Rabbi Rick Jacobs believes are tasked with “an impossible moment” as they deliver messages to their congregations amid a “confluence” of factors. However, he contends that it is not time for Jews to stray from their identity rather to show resilience and lean into it.

Jacobs said that Jews should focus on making partnerships with allies instead of “letting the extreme voices force us to cower here.”