As antisemitism rises, the Jewish world faces a turning point

The day before writing these words, I read in The Jerusalem Post about an antisemitic demonstration taking place in a Jewish neighborhood in Toronto, within the boundaries of the world's fourth-largest Jewish community, after Israel, the United States, and France. At the head of the procession was an academic and lecturer at several academic institutions in Ontario, equipped with a sound system and carrying a carefully structured lesson plan: first, antisemitic blood libels in the style of 'Jews rape and eat children,' followed by direct threats of annihilation, and finally rhythmic chants of 'Khazir Khazir al-Yahud' – a call for violence against Jews. There is much to think about this Rosh Hashanah regarding the future of Zionism as a global network, of which WIZO is a part. If in the past Israel was under threat while Jewish communities were relatively protected, the situation is slowly being reversed, exposing communities to dangers that only our parents' generation can remember. With their help, prayers for the good of a small people will overcome the wishes for its destruction voiced by the multitudes who hate it; our wish that 'our good deeds multiply like the pomegranate' will overcome the many pomegranate – like blood libels about our 'evil deeds'; and the holiday candles will symbolize and remind us of our hopes for a good year, a blessed year, a sweet year of peace – and, if possible, may all those who wish us harm disappear, and God forbid, may it not be we who disappear. The writer is the chairperson of World WIZO.