CHICAGO — The sun has set across Chicagoland, marking the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year.
But as Jewish people around the world celebrate and pray for a sweet new year, local synagogues and community centers are bolstering their security to protect against any potential threats amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Making the start of the Jewish New Year, congregants filed into Synagogue Free in West Rogers Park to celebrate the holiday with prayer and traditions, like eating apples with honey.
“It’s about sweetness, you want a sweet new year and we start just with a lot of hope a lot of optimism, we look forward to a bright and exciting year ahead, it’s a happy time,” Rabbi Levi Notik said.
At a time of escalating conflict in Israel, this is the first Jewish High Holiday since the October 7th attacks by Hamas.
Israel’s Consul General notes the past year has been filled with rising tension at home too.
“We have seen a very significant increase in antisemitism all across the country and also unfortunately here in the City of Chicago and Chicagoland,” Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, said. “I hope that this Rosh Hashanah will be an opportunity to celebrate with family and friends and not, you know, to fear of imminent threats.”
Chicago police say they are paying special attention to places of worship.
“The Chicago Police Department will have a special attention on places of worship. As always, we are monitoring all activity and while there is no actionable intelligence at this time, we will have an increased police presence to ensure the city’s faith communities are not only safe, but feel safe,” a spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department said.
“So we’re careful. Safety is a priority. But when people come to pray they’re going to feel the opportunity to connect and really think about the new year ahead and not have to be worry or be afraid in any way of our own safety,” Notik said.
Jewish Community Centers of Chicago have also bolstered their security over the course of the last year, even securing Homeland Security grants to harden their buildings. They said the measures were not fueled by fear but by resilience.
“We really try 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 joyfulness,” President and CEO of JCC Chicago Addie Goodman said.
That joy is a central part of Rosh Hashanah.
“Share a meal with someone else, offer a prayer, think about someone in need and really usher in the new year with goodness, with kindness, with love, with positivity, it really makes a difference. We need that in the world today.
Rosh Hashanah started at sundown on Wednesday night and runs through sundown on Friday night.