Today, I and the rest of the world woke up to the news about a terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England. It happened this morning at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation.  Sadly, as horrific as this, it is nothing new. Antisemitism and attacks against Jewish people have been happening for a long time and show no signs of stopping.

But for it to happen today, of all days, highlights just how much , even in this day and age, we are still hated because of who we are.  Today is Yom Kippur, the Holiest day of our Jewish New Year. It is the day we atone for the sins we have committed during this past year, whether by fasting for 24 hours, going to Synagogue, or simply reflecting on what have done and asking for forgiveness.

Two men were murdered and three other men are in the hospital with injuries after the attacker rammed his vehicle into a crowd of pedestrians , after which he exited his vehicle and started stabbing people. The attacker was shot dead by police and three other suspects had been taken into custody.

We, as Jews, are no strangers to hate. But it shouldn’t have to be this way.  Ever since the Holocaust,  antisemitism has been growing by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately,  in today’s world, hate has been given free reign against anyone who is different, be it a difference in religious beliefs, skin color, gender identity,  who you choose to love, and more.

That this attack happened today, shows the complete and utter disregard not only for our beliefs and culture but also for our very lives. It is symbolic of what is going all over the world , of how hate has taken over and lies festering like an open wound. A wound that won’t heal, no matter how much we try to treat it.

But we can’t give up. We must stand up and face this with our heads held high, never giving up the fight to change things, no matter how hard it gets. If we give up, they win. We can’t  let that happen.

It’s not going to be easy. Not by a long shot. It’s been a long, hard fight and will continue to be. Once again, the gauntlet has been thrown, and we must rise to this long-standing challenge Someone has to. It’s the only way. If we don’t, who will?