Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is set to begin at sundown on Friday. However, this joyous occasion is marred by the rising threats faced by Jewish institutions in Southern California. Antisemitic incidents, including a recent wave of swatting, have reached a record high in the region.
For those unfamiliar, swatting is a malicious tactic where someone tricks emergency services into responding to a false emergency at someone else’s location. This can involve making false claims of bomb threats, ongoing violence, hostage situations, or even self-harm or harm to others.
In a recent incident, the Altadena Sheriff’s Station received a report that an armed individual was on the grounds of the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, threatening to commit suicide. Law enforcement swiftly evacuated the B’nai Simcha Community Preschool and the synagogue before determining that the threat was a hoax.
Recognizing the urgent need to combat antisemitism, the Anti-Defamation League of Los Angeles and Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles joined forces to establish the Southern California Jewish Security Alliance. This alliance aims to improve prevention and response to antisemitic incidents in the region.
According to the ADL’s annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, the Los Angeles Region, which includes Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Kern counties, recorded 237 incidents in 2022. This represents a 30% increase from the previous year. The incidents included 143 cases of harassment (a 38% increase), 86 cases of vandalism (a 34% increase), and eight cases of assault (a 43% decrease).
Jeffrey I. Abrams, the ADL Los Angeles Regional Director, expressed concern over these alarming figures, stating, “These record-setting figures make clear that there has not just been a surge of antisemitism, there is an unfortunate and unmistakable trendline that antisemitism is deeply embedded and growing in every part of society.”
Despite these challenges, the Jewish community will gather to observe Rosh Hashana, a two-day holiday filled with religious rituals and reflection. The blowing of the shofar, a ram’s horn, is a central part of these observances, symbolizing both ancient traditions and a call to unity.
While many synagogues require membership or tickets for High Holy Days services, free services for Rosh Hashana will be held in Beverly Hills and Hollywood. The JEM Center in Beverly Hills will offer multiple services throughout the holiday, and Laugh Factory Hollywood will also host services with no admission fee.
It’s worth noting that the Laugh Factory’s services will be streamed online for those unable to attend in person. This accessibility is especially important for individuals who are away from home or in hospitals or retirement homes.
This year marks the 41st consecutive year that the Laugh Factory has organized these free High Holy Days services, emphasizing the importance of community and inclusivity.
Rosh Hashana is a time for Jews to gather with loved ones and their communities to reflect on the past year and the one ahead. It is customary to enjoy festive meals featuring apples dipped in honey, symbolizing hopes for a sweet and prosperous year.
Rosh Hashana also marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that leads up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is the most solemn and somber day in Judaism.
During the High Holy Days, Jewish tradition teaches that God records the destiny of each person for the coming year in the Book of Life, which is sealed at the end of Yom Kippur.
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