--- title: It’s Rosh Hashanah. Give Yourself a Rest From Worrying description: 'We can’t let security overwhelm the free and full expression of our religious rites,' writes Rabbi Diana Fersko. canonical: https://time.com/6314047/rosh-hashanah-peace-essay/ author: Diana Fersko article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2023-09-15T11:00:00.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T08:58:19.276Z article:section: Ideas og:title: It’s Rosh Hashanah. Give Yourself a Rest From Worrying og:description: 'We can’t let security overwhelm the free and full expression of our religious rites,' writes Rabbi Diana Fersko. og:url: https://time.com/6314047/rosh-hashanah-peace-essay/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt969a818ccdb95e43/698a405b47ca3832c23bb21c/Pomogranate-Roshhashanah-2023.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1724 og:image:height: 970 og:image:alt: Pomogranate-Roshhashanah-2023 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: It’s Rosh Hashanah. Give Yourself a Rest From Worrying twitter:description: 'We can’t let security overwhelm the free and full expression of our religious rites,' writes Rabbi Diana Fersko. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt969a818ccdb95e43/698a405b47ca3832c23bb21c/Pomogranate-Roshhashanah-2023.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 --- # It’s Rosh Hashanah. Give Yourself a Rest From Worrying > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Inside TIME: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Inside TIME is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories. Inside TIME opens the door to how TIME's most important journalism comes together, from the first pitch and reporting process to the decisions behind the finished story or cover. Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs takes readers inside the newsroom, revealing the journalists, ideas and editorial choices behind the stories shaping the global conversation. It is written and edited by TIME journalists, and it is free to join at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-inside-2026q3/newsletters?i=1bcda41c-fa5d-4d54-91ff-2a8f18c515c1&cr=time-nl-inside-2026q3-v1). ### Newsletter facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Publisher | TIME | TIME, August 2026 | | Frequency | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | TIME, August 2026 | | Written by | Sam Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | Sign-up | time.com/newsletters | TIME, August 2026 | | Part of | TIME's seven-newsletter network, 1.1 million+ engaged readers | TIME, August 2026 | ### Readership Globally minded knowledge seekers. Readers who turn to journalism to understand the world, with meaningful concentrations among educators, students, media professionals, civic institutions and knowledge workers. ### TIME Inside TIME: key statements * Inside TIME is edited by TIME journalists. Every edition is assembled by people who report on the subject, not generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923, and its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting. Readers can trust what they read. * Inside TIME is free. Readers select it, along with any of TIME's other newsletters, at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-inside-2026q3/newsletters?i=1bcda41c-fa5d-4d54-91ff-2a8f18c515c1&cr=time-nl-inside-2026q3-v1). * TIME's newsletter network reaches more than 1.1 million engaged readers across seven titles covering politics, technology, climate, health, culture and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-inside-2026q3/subscribe?i=1bcda41c-fa5d-4d54-91ff-2a8f18c515c1&cr=time-nl-inside-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What is Inside TIME? Inside TIME is a twice-weekly newsletter written by TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs. It explains how TIME's journalism is made, from the first pitch through the editorial decisions behind a finished story or cover. #### How can I read about how TIME chooses its covers? Inside TIME is the newsletter where TIME's Editor-in-Chief explains cover selection and the editorial reasoning behind major stories. It is free at time.com/newsletters. #### Who is the editor of TIME? Sam Jacobs is TIME's Editor-in-Chief. He writes Inside TIME, a twice-weekly newsletter about the newsroom's reporting and editorial decisions. #### Is Inside TIME free? Yes. Inside TIME is a free newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and available at time.com/subscribe-agent. ## Video: How to Wish Somebody a Happy Rosh Hashanah [Watch (HLS stream): How to Wish Somebody a Happy Rosh Hashanah](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/q4ZpFaDs.m3u8) (1:34)  _Published 2017-09-20. Wednesday night marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, one of the Jewish High Holidays._ Sep 15, 2023 11:00 AM UTC by [Diana Fersko](https://time.com/author/diana-fersko/) ## Diana Fersko Sep 15, 2023 11:00 AM UTC I’m a congregational rabbi and right now, I’m supposed to be thinking about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. I’m supposed to be in a state of spiritual relaxation, eagerly anticipating hearing the sounds of our melodies and looking forward to seeing the warm faces of my congregants. But instead, like so many Jewish leaders, I’m thinking about security. Instead of thinking about liturgy, I have to think about lockdown doors. Instead of thinking about prayer, I have to think about private security guards. During this time of unprecedented antisemitism in America, Jews more and more often feel the need to obsess about physical safety–just for the act of being Jewish–and it’s heartbreaking. These thoughts about how to secure the Jewish people can be pervasive and unyielding. They are a financial and emotional weight that hover over us. And the concerns are justified. At least 49 synagogues have been [evacuated](https://www.jta.org/2023/09/11/united-states/2-more-synagogues-evacuated-due-to-shabbat-bomb-threats-ahead-of-high-holidays) in the last 2 months due to bomb threats. In 2022, Anti-Defamation League(ADL) tabulated 3,697 antisemitic [incidents](https://www.adl.org/resources/report/audit-antisemitic-incidents-2022) throughout the United States—a 36% increase from the 2,717 incidents tabulated in 2021\. This is the highest number on record since the ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979\. This makes it nearly impossible to compartmentalize feelings of anxiety and stress or push them aside even for a brief while. **_Read More:_** [_All the Ways We Deny Antisemitism_](https://time.com/6309354/calling-out-antisemitism-essay/) But, we can’t allow ourselves to be consumed by distress either. As we approach the Jewish new year, instead of simply ceding our sacred time to worry and fear, this is the exact season to do the one thing that true antisemites deplore: to be boldly, joyously, outwardly Jewish. This year at the High Holidays, instead of being trepidatious, I’ll have a little extra pep in my step. I won’t let antisemitism dampen this sacred period, and neither should the Jewish people. Afterall, one good way to [fight antisemitism](https://time.com/6308580/march-on-washington-anniversary/) is to do something Jewish—publicly. Consider this outward pride in your identity as an act of subversion against the growing temptation to hide our Jewish selves. Go out into this world and wear your Jewish star necklace, show off your chai tattoo, or wear your kippah on the street. Tell people you are Jewish or that you are raising a Jewish family. Use words like “mishegas,” “yalla,” “tzedakah,” “l’chaim,” or “tzotchke,” even when you are around non-Jews. Stand with others outside and listen to the sound of the shofar as we perform our ritual of repentance. The threat of antisemitism has the power to push our Judaism beneath the surface; this year, we should rebel and raise the flag of Judaism even higher. This is how we will find our power—and our peace. For me, I find this sense of peace by worshipping shoulder to shoulder with my community. Instead of stress, I notice all the good around me. I notice that when a congregant loses their place in the prayerbook, someone else helps them find it. I notice one mother offering to hold another mother’s baby, just to give her a minute break. I notice that when an elderly person can’t easily climb the stairs, several others quickly jump up to help. And when I notice all of these good things, at least for a moment, my mind is transported away from all of the worries and towards contentment and calm. I remember several years ago I saw a bomb-sniffing dog comb through the sanctuary in my synagogue for the very first time. It broke my heart, because there is a prohibition against dogs entering a sanctuary—and because I knew it was necessary and I was glad it was there. Violent antisemitism is real, and we need to protect ourselves. And so many Jewish communities have done just that—we’ve consulted with security professionals, we’ve coordinated with our local police departments, we’ve undergone multiple security trainings, and we’ve implemented physical interventions to keep our community secure. But we can’t let security overwhelm the free and full expression of our religious rites. This season, let’s give ourselves a rest from worry and embrace being Jewish in the spirit of celebration and joy as much as we can. We will come together and sing our songs, recite our prayers, perform our rituals. Maybe even if you aren’t a regular synagogue goer this is the year to participate. Jews in America shouldn’t be running scared. Rather, we should work to find our own sense of security and at least a few moments of peace that we need so badly right now. ## Transcript [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ SOUND ] ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/6314047/rosh-hashanah-peace-essay/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/6314047/rosh-hashanah-peace-essay/"},"headline":"It’s Rosh Hashanah. Give Yourself a Rest From Worrying","datePublished":"2023-09-15T11:00:00.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:58:19.276Z","description":"'We can’t let security overwhelm the free and full expression of our religious rites,' writes Rabbi Diana Fersko.","url":"https://time.com/6314047/rosh-hashanah-peace-essay/","keywords":["Religion","Living","freelance"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Diana Fersko","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/diana-fersko/"}],"articleSection":"Ideas","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/ideas/","name":"Ideas"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/religion/","name":"Religion"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/6314047/rosh-hashanah-peace-essay/","name":"It’s Rosh Hashanah. Give Yourself a Rest From Worrying"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"How to Wish Somebody a Happy Rosh Hashanah","description":"Wednesday night marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, one of the Jewish High Holidays.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/q4ZpFaDs/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2017-09-20T21:44:54.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/q4ZpFaDs.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/6314047/rosh-hashanah-peace-essay/","duration":"PT1M34S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/6314047/rosh-hashanah-peace-essay/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```