October 7: A Wake-Up Call for Israel’s Survival and the Jewish People’s Future

October 7 represents more than just a hostage crisis. It was a direct and brutal attempt to undermine and eliminate the State of Israel through violence and destruction. On that day, Hamas launched a coordinated attack resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 innocent people, sending a devastating message to the world: the threats against Israel and the Jewish people are not merely rhetoric but a horrifying reality.

This assault was not just an act of terrorism — it was a declaration of war against the very existence of the Jewish state. For too long, we have seen written charters by our enemies calling for our annihilation. Still, on October 7, they acted with inhumane brutality, torturing and killing indiscriminately, from the youngest to the oldest among us.

The global Jewish community must see this event as a wake-up call. We cannot afford to take anything for granted — neither the safety of Israel nor the survival of the Jewish people. Our enemies, both at home and abroad, have shown they are ready and willing to follow through on threats of destruction. We are under siege, and now, more than ever, we must be vigilant, strong, and prepared to fight for our future.

This is not just about defending Israel’s borders. It’s about defending the Jewish people as a whole, our identity, our values, and our very existence. This moment demands that we educate future generations, ensuring they understand the weight of this threat and the responsibility they bear in protecting the Jewish people, including securing stronger legal protections worldwide to prevent those who wish to harm us from succeeding.

The hostages taken during this attack are a painful reminder of the personal toll that terrorism exacts on individual lives. Though a year has passed, the captivity of over 100 hostages still in captivity haunts us all. The suffering of their families and the broader Jewish community is immeasurable. Yet, even as we fight for the release of the hostages, we must not lose sight that October 7 was not just about the hostages — it was about the survival of the nation of Israel and our people.

The hostages are more than victims of conflict; they are beloved members of our community, individuals with dreams, families, and futures. We must continue to raise our voices for them, ensuring their stories remain front and center and are not lost in the shuffle of geopolitics and news cycles. But even more, we must remember that their plight symbolizes the more significant existential threat we face.

The global response to October 7 must be one of action. Governments, international organizations, and advocacy groups must come together, not only to secure the release of hostages but to hold Hamas and its supporters accountable for their atrocities. This is a moral imperative for the State of Israel, the Jewish people, and all who value justice.

Our Jewish tradition teaches the importance of saving lives. It is our sacred duty to ensure these hostages are returned and to take the steps necessary to prevent future acts of terror. As we reflect on the first anniversary of this dark day, let it also be a call to action.

This fight is not just about the present; it is about securing the future of the Jewish people. This reflects the core mission of the Jewish Future Promise: safeguarding our collective future by upholding shared values and responsibility.

Our unity has always been our greatest strength. From the Exodus to the founding of the State of Israel, we have come together in times of crisis, which has kept us strong. Now, more than ever, we need that unity to shine as we face the challenges ahead. The world will remember October 7, not just for the pain and loss, but for the strength and resolve of a people who refused to be broken. We will dance again.