Fear alone is not enough to sustain a people - The Jewish Chronicle

Rosh Hashanah is here. A New Year- a New Beginning. That which our enemies perhaps did not know about Simchat Torah too- is that in the Jewish calendar, the end is always by design and intention- also a new beginning. Shana from the root “leshanot”- to change, to try again, to do differently, a second time, and also to teach ( as in the Shema- “veshinantam levanecha” - you shall teach your children)

This week families will gather around tables laden with apples and honey and an array of delicacies in accordance with their own family traditions. Shuls will fill, at least for an hour or two. There will be song, memories and fleeting moments of meaning.

But for many, conversations will inevitably be dominated by antisemitism. It is in the headlines and on people’s minds- foment on campus, hostility online, intimidation on our streets. It is real, and it is highly disconcerting. Sadly, and in my opinion, for too long, hatred, resentment and alienation have become the mainstay of the Jewish and Israel story, and overwhelmingly so, across the pages of our own local Jewish press too - seemingly the most potent reason to hold onto Jewish identity. The obsessive focus upon antisemitism, whilst understandable, is in my opinion a huge mistake.

Fear alone is not enough to sustain a people, let alone inspire a new generation.

History is full of enemies who tried to destroy us. Pharaoh drowned babies in the Nile. Nebuchadnezzar razed our Temple. Ferdinand and Isabella expelled us. Chmielnicki’s Cossacks raped and pillaged. Hitler gassed millions. And yes, Sinwar and Nasrallah have already been replaced by those who still call for Israel and the Jewish People to be erased. And yet- we are still here. We survived. That is no small miracle.

But “we survived” is not, by itself, a compelling reason for an intelligent young Jew in London, Manchester or Leeds to want to live as a Jew in 2025. The question that matters is: what are we surviving for?

The real story of Judaism is not just about outlasting our enemies. It is about connection, meaning, purpose, joy and aspiration. It’s about the contribution we have made, continue to make and ultimately aspire to achieve for all of humanity.

We gave the world the idea that every human being is created in the image of God. That life is sacred. That we are responsible for the widow, the orphan, the stranger. That society should rest once a week, and that even kings are accountable to law. These values didn’t just shape Jewish communities; they helped shape the moral foundations of the modern world.

If Judaism is reduced to food on one side and fear on the other, it will not capture hearts or imaginations

And yet, too many of our own children are unaware of any of this. For them, Jewish life has been reduced to chicken soup and smoked salmon, to Chanukah presents and an annoying matza fest or Yom Kippur fast. For many these are mere blind ritualistic traditions at best, but thin fare for a Jewish soul yearning for meaning. No wonder so many young Jews feel adrift, anxious, or unsure of who they are.

If Judaism is reduced to food on one side and fear on the other, it will not capture hearts or imaginations.

That is why we need to do something different. At Jewish Futures we are calling this year’s theme Bold Innovation. Because to ensure Jewish continuity, we cannot simply repeat the past, we must renew it. We must bring energy, creativity, positivity and authenticity to Jewish education and Jewish life.

That means more engaged singing in shul, not less. It means lifecycle events- weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, even funerals—that feel heartfelt and genuine, not stiff and formulaic. It means classes, discussions and dinner-table talk that address contemporary questions through the depth and timeless relevance of Jewish wisdom.

It also means less judgement. For too long, guilt has been the currency of Jewish continuity. Guilt may push people briefly, but it does not inspire them to stay. Our children will not be moved by reproach or ostentatious material displays. They will be moved by sincerity, spirituality, depth and joy. They will be moved when they see parents and leaders living Judaism with integrity and enthusiasm.

Rosh Hashanah is the perfect time to begin. It is more than a quaint ritual of dipping apples in honey. It is a chance to reset, to renew bonds with family, with community, with God, and with the Jewish story itself. The shofar’s call is not only a warning about danger- it is a summons to wake up, to live more fully, to rediscover who we are and why it matters.

Technology and AI can do many things. They can help us work faster, shop smarter, even write an essay. But they cannot create belonging and genuine connection. They cannot replace the joy of community, the depth of a 3,500-year-old heritage, or the meaning of being part and aspiring to something far greater than ourselves.

So this Rosh Hashanah, as we wish each other a sweet new year, let’s commit to more than survival. Let’s choose renewal. Let’s celebrate the gifts of Judaism- not just the burdens of history. Because the Jewish future will not be built only by resisting those who hate us, but by embracing with pride and joy the extraordinary heritage that makes us who we are. Shana tova.

Rabbi Naftali Schiff is the founder and CEO of Jewish Futures a Family of educational and communal organisations including GIFT, JROOTS, AISH, FJL and CHAZON

To get more from community, click here to sign up for our free community newsletter.

Topics: