Jacqueline Morris’s Rosh Hashanah Message for 2026

During the High Holidays, we are encouraged to reflect on the past year — the good, the bad, and everything in between. When I look back, I sometimes feel like things have calmed down with the war in Israel and antisemitism around the world. But then I realized that antisemitism hasn’t necessarily decreased; we have simply become accustomed to it. The protests happen so often that they are no longer considered news, and people are tired of constantly having to speak up.
This made me wonder: How can we protect ourselves and future generations if people don’t understand what is happening to us?
I realized that making a difference doesn’t always require a big gesture. Sometimes, it starts with one conversation. Recently, I spoke with a bartender who knew very little about what the Jewish community has been experiencing. After our conversation, he asked if we could sit down so he could learn more, and he even wanted to get involved with the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival.
Maybe that one conversation will lead him to educate someone else. Maybe he will tell his friends what he learned. It may seem small, but change starts with one person, one conversation, and one decision to understand.

Jacqueline Morris is the Events Director for Atlanta Jewish Times.