Since Oct. 7, Israel’s soldiers have displayed remarkable bravery in defending the Jewish people. In the Diaspora, Jewish organizations have responded as well—organizing rallies, lobbying governments and fighting the surge of antisemitism on social media. These efforts are vital. Yet there is another front we must not ignore: the inner one. It is the question of meaning—of knowing not only how we fight but why.
For many Jews, especially those less connected to communal or religious life, the brutal attacks forced difficult questions into the open: What does it mean to be Jewish? Why is Judaism worth defending?
At Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE), where I teach and engage with young professionals, I have witnessed this firsthand. Since the war began, more and more young Jews—some curious, some skeptical—have come forward looking for answers.
If Jewish identity is defined only as resistance to antisemitism, then it remains fragile. It becomes defensive rather than affirmative. Judaism cannot be sustained solely by opposition. We do not practice Judaism in order to oppose our enemies; rather, we oppose our enemies so that we can live Jewish lives.
This is a time to lean in, not shrink away. Our response must be to strengthen the core of Jewish life—through Torah study, meaningful prayer, acts of kindness, Shabbat observance and a sense of mission to repair the world. These practices are not merely rituals; they are the building blocks of a resilient and purposeful Jewish existence.
- Faith in God: Judaism affirms that faith is both rational and intuitive. It can be glimpsed in the improbable survival of the Jewish people against all odds, in the intricacy of creation and in the stirrings of the soul. Faith is not blind; it is an openness to a reality greater than ourselves.
- Torah: To take Judaism seriously means to engage with its central text. Torah study is not only about laws and stories; it is about forging spiritual intimacy and making the tradition truly our own.
- Prayer: At its best, prayer is not rote recitation but transformation. It cultivates mindfulness, gratitude and a sense of connection to the Divine. The structured prayers of our tradition are meant to guide us into that deeper experience.
- Kindness and Charity: Judaism measures worth not by wealth or power but by generosity. The laws of hospitality, visiting the sick, comforting mourners and supporting the poor are designed to shape us into people of compassion.
- Shabbat: Perhaps more than any other mitzvah, Shabbat has brought Jews back to their roots. In our restless, screen-saturated world, Shabbat is not only a commandment but a gift. It restores balance, community and sanctity to life.
- Tikun Olam: The call to be a “light unto the nations” challenges us to take responsibility beyond ourselves. Especially in a world that so often turns against us, the Jewish mission to bring goodness and healing remains undiminished.
Together, these six pillars form a Judaism that is robust, resilient and profoundly worth defending.
In my work at MJE and in writing The Jewish Experience: Discovering the Soul of Jewish Thought and Practice (Koren Publishing), my goal has been to make these ideas accessible for Jews at every level of learning.
The book is one contribution to a larger educational effort taking place in communities and classrooms across the Jewish world. The central point is not any single program or publication, but the broader movement to ensure that Jews can encounter Judaism as something vibrant, meaningful and alive.
This moment demands that we transform the darkness of antisemitism into a renewed devotion to Jewish life. Anger at our enemies is not enough. True strength comes from knowing what we are fighting for—from living Jewishly with knowledge, pride and joy.
If we succeed in building that foundation, our future will not be defined by fear or defensiveness, but by conviction and purpose.
The best answer to hate is not only survival, but flourishing. And flourishing means reclaiming Judaism not as a burden or an afterthought, but as a treasure worth living—and worth defending.
