Hineni: This High Holiday Season, Stand and Speak
BY MYRA CLARK-SIEGEL,
AJC WESTCHESTER/FAIRFIELD
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur—the Days of Awe—our tradition calls us both to introspection and renewal and to redouble our commitment to justice, truth, and speaking out.
This year, our resolve to stand up for the Jewish community is not optional; it is urgent.
The latest FBI data confirms it: anti-Jewish hate crimes in the U.S. rose nearly 6 percent between 2023 and 2024—reaching the highest recorded numbers since reporting began. In 2024, Jewish Americans—comprising just 2 percent of the population—were victims of 18 percent of all hate crimes, and 69 percent of religion-based hate crimes targeted Jews.
These are not remote statistics. And we all know it. These are the lived experiences of the Jewish community. And they are the stark realities haunting our neighborhoods, schools, campuses, workplaces, and houses of worship.
In the Torah, when God calls to Abraham, to Moses, to Samuel, the response is the same: Hineni, “Here I am.” It is more than an announcement of presence. It is a declaration of readiness. Readiness to step into the moment, to shoulder responsibility, to act when called: Count on Me.
This High Holiday season, each of us is being called upon to stand up for the Jewish community and Israel. The question is—will we answer Hineni?
Each of us must step forward—as supporters, and as educated, empowered advocates. This is how we turn pain into purpose.
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) stands at the center of this work—defending Jewish life, advancing Israel’s story, and equipping those of us who refuse silence to stand up for our community and Israel.
What does Hineni look like in practice?
· Know your facts: Understand the complexity of Israel’s situation and the nuances of antisemitism—not just globally, but right here in our region.
· Tell the story: Speak about Israel’s contributions, its vulnerabilities, and its challenges from a place of conviction, clarity, and compassion.
· Engage with action: Lend your voice to AJC’s Unity Breakfasts, community briefings, interfaith forums, and school dialogues.
· Work across differences: Build partnerships with leaders of other faiths, educators, and local officials to protect not just Jewish safety but shared civic ideals.
· Ensure our next generation is educated and empowered: AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) program is now accepting applications, with limited spaces remaining.
· This is your chance to be trained and raise your voice with other strong, proud, pro-Israel Jewish voices—intentional, strategic, and unwavering.
This year, when history calls, let’s answer as our ancestors did: Hineni. Here I am. Ready to learn. Ready to speak. Ready to act.
May this be the year we stand taller, speak louder, and act bolder—for ourselves, for Israel, and for the generations to come.
Shanah Tovah.
Myra Clark-Siegel is regional director of AJC Westchester/Fairfield. AJC is the global advocacy organization of the Jewish people. To learn more about how to be a strong Jewish advocate, email westchester@ajc.org.