New Year: We Need More Than Honey
What a week. What a week.
The Jewish New Year has opened, and there has not been a dull moment yet.
Around the September 11 remembrance, we were once again confronted with images of open extremism in New York. September 11 still reminds all of us what hatred and extremism can lead to.
And yet, seeing swastikas openly displayed on the streets of New York is a hard pill to swallow. For Jews, the message feels frighteningly familiar: we’ll tackle the Jews first, then we’ll address the rest.
Earlier this week, we also saw what took place at Ed Sheeran’s concert, where Macklemore used a platform of entertainment to promote his message about Palestine. Let me be clear: criticism of Israel is allowed. I don’t disagree with that. But this is also someone who previously dressed as a stereotypical Hasidic Jew with a prosthetic nose. Context matters.
Pink was one of the few stars willing to speak up—and received tremendous backlash for doing so. It shows the guts and authenticity of someone willing to stand up for what she believes is right.
But as much admiration as I have for her, my question is: Where is everyone else?
And especially Ed Sheeran. It was his concert, his platform, his audience. Where was the responsibility?
Finally, perhaps the greatest stab in the heart came from within: Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor and their film NAZA, which received an extraordinary standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
I have not seen the film, but I have heard the filmmakers themselves speak about it—and, to me, their accusations and portrayal of Israel and the IDF distort the reality of this war. I don’t need to pretend I’ve seen the film to disagree with what its creators themselves are saying publicly.
Perhaps the most powerful response came from former hostage Eliya Cohen, who spoke out against their accusations. Here is someone who experienced this conflict in his own flesh, in the most horrific way possible, and who surely understands what the soldiers defending Israel are all about. That speaks volumes.
The problem is not criticism of Israel. The problem is presenting this war without sufficient interest in both sides and allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions.
There aren’t simply good guys and bad guys. War is complicated, ugly and tragic.
But this war did not start nowhere. It followed the horrific massacre of October 7.
The belief that if Jews condemn Israel enough, distance themselves enough, or prove themselves different enough, somehow antisemitism will disappear is a fantasy history has disproven over and over again.
We have to authentically be us.
Those genuinely interested in understanding this conflict will recognize its complexities. Palestinian suffering can be acknowledged without erasing Israeli suffering. Israel can be criticized without vilifying Israelis or Jews.
And so my hope for this new year—which has already begun with somewhat more bitterness than honey—is for world peace, peace in Israel, and inner peace.
Perhaps now I understand a little better why we dip the apple in honey.
Because sweetness doesn’t simply happen.
If we want a sweet year, we have to intend it. We have to make an effort. Wishful thinking isn’t enough.
We need more than honey.
We need to be proactive in the fight against antisemitism and insist on our right to be seen for who we really are, rather than only as we are accused and vilified. We need to show our humanity and tell our stories.
Perhaps people need to show more critical thinking, honesty, and willingness to see both sides. Only then we can begin resolving the problem instead of adding more fuel to the fire.
May this year truly be a sweet one—not only because we wished for it, but because we did something to make it so.
