CHICAGO – The sun has set on Chicagoland, marking the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year.
But as Jewish people around the world celebrate and pray for a beautiful new year, local synagogues and community centers are strengthening their security to protect against potential threats amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
At the start of the Jewish New Year, congregants flocked to Synagogue Free in West Rogers Park to celebrate the holiday with prayer and traditions such as eating apples with honey.
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“It’s about sweetness, you want a beautiful new year and we just start with a lot of hope and a lot of optimism. We look forward to a bright and exciting year ahead, it’s a happy time,” said Rabbi Levi Notik.
At a time of escalating conflict in Israel, this is the first Jewish High Holiday since the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
The Israeli consul general notes that there have also been increasing tensions at home in the past year.
“We have seen a very significant increase in anti-Semitism across the country and unfortunately here in the city of Chicago and Chicagoland,” said Yinam Cohen, Israel’s Consul General in the Mid-West. “I hope that this Rosh Hashanah will be an opportunity to celebrate with family and friends and not, you know, to fear imminent threats.”
Chicago police say they are paying special attention to places of worship.
“Chicago police will pay special attention to houses of worship. As always, we are monitoring all activity and while there is no actionable information at this time, we will have an increased police presence to ensure the city’s faith communities are not only safe, but feel safe,” said one spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department. .
“So we are careful. Safety is a priority. But when people come to pray, they will feel the opportunity to connect and really think about the coming New Year, without having to worry or in any way fear for our own safety,” said Notik .
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Jewish community centers of Chicago have also increased their security in the past year, even securing grants from Homeland Security to harden their buildings. They said the measures were not fueled by fear, but by resilience.
“We’re really trying to look for the hope and the positivity in our Jewish community and Jewish life and really be a place where people can still find that joy,” said Addie Goodman, president and CEO of JCC Chicago.
That joy is a central part of Rosh Hashanah.
“Sharing a meal with someone else, saying a prayer, thinking of someone in need and really ringing in the new year with goodness, with kindness, with love, with positivity, it really makes a difference. That’s what we need in the world today.
Rosh Hashanah began at sunset on Wednesday evening and continues until sunset on Friday evening.
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