Reflections on Jewish identity in 2026

The past few weeks I have begun to wrap tefillin, as a way to connect to Judaism and spirituality while at college.

In Judaism, binding tefillin to the arm and head during morning prayers is a traditional custom. Tefillin are small boxes with hebrew scrolls and leather straps.

When I wrap, I’m able to take a second out of my day to think about something greater than myself. I meditate for a moment and set intentions for my day. 

I think of all the other Jews doing the same, all connected to Hashem (G-d) at the same time.

It’s one way for me to take pride in my relationship with Judaism.

In 2026, when antisemitism is rampant in my communities, media and the news, it feels more important than ever to continue setting Jewish intentions and connect to Hashem. 

I’m writing this on Yom Kippur – one of the holiest holidays in the Jewish religion.

But I woke up the day before a bit scared. 

Why should I be scared for one of the holiest holidays in my religion? 

Maybe because of the coincidences of the day throughout history.

On Oct. 7, 2023, the surprise Hamas attack and rape on southern Israel devastatingly fell one day after the 50-year anniversary of the Yom Kippur war.

This attack was horrifically recorded, live streamed and celebrated amongst antisemites worldwide.

This war amongst Israel and much of West Asia influenced and activated antisemitism in the western world, stronger than I’ve felt in my lifetime.

Yad Vashem, the world Holocaust remembrance center in Israel, describes it as “the worst wave of antisemitic incidents since the end of World War II.”

Last year on Yom Kippur, a man drove through the gates of a Manchester, England synagogue and started attacking people, killing two men, Melvin Cravitz z”l and Adrian Daulby z”l.

This past Sunday night a man opened fire on a policeman stationed outside a synagogue during Yom Kippur services in Belleville, Ontario.

It was a miracle the gunman couldn’t get farther than the policeman stationed outside the synagogue in Ontario.

While it’s too soon to say if the attack was premeditated or a coincidence, I think this was an act of antisemitism. 

It’s easy to ignore it. 

The hasty whisperings and quick jabs at Jews on college campuses, on YikYak, in the comments of Instagram reels and in the readings assigned by professors.

As a Jewish person, I’m scared.

But I’m not scared of antisemitism flying under the radar, because at this point it’s a mainstream trend.

The Anti-Defamation League reported antisemitism rose over 360% in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. 

And it’s continuing to seep into society.

At the University of California San Diego, a historically Jewish fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi, was vandalized and targeted with racist and antisemetic rhetoric, last month. Student Josh Greenwood wrote the antisemitism he “had seen in the news was no longer distant.” 

Despite the attack, people were in the Instagram comments criticizing the paint job of the graffiti.

“They don’t even know how to make a swastika lmao,” one commenter wrote. 

“More like Jewish students did this,” another one said.

‘Why aren’t we focusing on the blatant antisemitism,’ I think to myself as I pound my fist on my forehead.

The brothers of University of California San Diego Alpha Epsilon Pi want the world to know they will continue gathering, celebrating and being proud of their identities, instead of letting antisemitism hold them back.

It’s easy to tuck away my Star of David necklace, or stop wearing clothes with Hebrew lettering. It’s easy to stop going to temple and to stop wrapping tefillin. 

But it’s more meaningful to continue on through hard times.

I will keep lighting candles on Friday night, keep supporting Jewish businesses and continue being a proud Jew.

Am Yisrael Chai.