Finding the Courage To Stand Up

As we entered the new Jewish year, I found myself thinking about renewal and the kind of world we want to leave for our grandchildren.
These are unsettling times of division, hatred, violence, propaganda, and unrest around the world. Sometimes it feels easier to look away, remain silent, or hope that someone else will speak up. But silence has consequences too. This year, I am asking myself to find the courage to speak up. I stand firmly against antisemitism, hatred, extremism, and blood libels—the dangerous and historically false accusations used to demonize Jews for centuries. At the same time, I believe we should be able to discuss the Israeli policies honestly and critically without allowing criticism to become hatred of Jewish people or justification for violence.
As an Israeli and a Jew, standing in solidarity with my people and my country is deeply personal to me. It doesn’t mean agreeing with everything Israel does. It means caring enough to engage, question, educate, and stand for values I believe should guide us: human dignity, justice, compassion, truth, and the sanctity of life.
As a teacher, I feel an even greater responsibility. Education means teaching people to ask questions, examine sources, recognize propaganda, and distinguish facts from accusations. Our sages taught: “In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.” And always pursue justice. When no one steps forward to do what is right, dare to be the one who does.
Speaking up can be uncomfortable, especially when you feel you are standing alone. But the majority is not automatically right simply because it is the majority, and an idea is not true because it’s repeated often enough. This year I urge you too to look in the mirror and ask: what can I do to make the world better? What truth am I willing to stand for, even when it’s difficult?
I pray for healing—for every community suffering from violence and hatred. May ignorance give way to education, fear to courage, propaganda to truth, and violence to peace. May we find the wisdom and humanity to remember that beneath our differences, we are all part of the same human family. Happy and peaceful New Year to all of us!
Naomi Young has taught Judaic studies and bar/bat mitzvah training for over 43 years. You may contact her @ naomiyoung7@yahoo.com