Fran Putney’s Passover Message for 2026

New York Times columnist Bret Stephens recently addressed the annual State of World Jewry conference. “The proper defense against Jew hatred is not to prove the haters wrong by outdoing ourselves in feats of altruism, benevolence and achievement,” he said. “It is to lean into our Jewishness as far as each of us can, irrespective of what anyone else thinks of it.”

Not only do his remarks ring true for me for his thoughts about how to react to rampant antisemitism, but his idea is what comes to mind in thinking about this Passover’s Jewish Times message prompt from our editor: What does it mean to be a good Jew?

Because individual Jewish religious practices and beliefs are so varied and even our communities so diverse, who can say that there is one right way to be a good Jew? In my mind, being a good Jew is being the best Jew for you. I would add, regardless of where you are on the spectrum religiously, for me a few fundamental Jewish values are important to Jewishness, those being: continued learning and educating ourselves about our Judaism and the world; as well as another very Jewish tradition – debating — respectfully, with each other; and tikkun olam – participating in the effort to repair our world. With that I say: You do you when it comes to being your best Jewish self.

Wishing our community, as always, a joyful and meaningful Pesach with family and friends.

Fran Putney is on the Atlanta Jewish Times Editorial Team and serves with the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust.