Dear John,

Today is 10/7. This date has become an eternal shorthand for devastating loss and a deep well of resolve. It is also a sharp line drawn in our collective memory.

On October 6 — the day before the horrific massacre by Hamas — Israel, its friends and allies, and Jewish people across the world had no idea that we were about to be shaken and tested beyond our comprehension.

And then there was October 8, the day after our world was turned upside down. We were suddenly in a different world where an act of horrible savagery by Hamas had taken 1,200 lives in what felt like an instant, and over 250 people were taken hostage. Over one hundred remain in this cruel captivity.

Like some of you, I’ve been to Israel since the attacks. I have seen destroyed homes with bullet holes pockmarking the walls and dried blood on the floors. I went to the site of the Nova festival where innocent young people were hunted down and slaughtered — or kidnapped to Gaza. And I've met with many of the families of those kidnapped, listening and seeing their pain and anguish, but also their resolve to do everything to bring their loved ones back home.

The attacks by Hamas, by Hezbollah and the Houthis and the direct onslaught by the largest patron of antisemitic terrorism, Iran, have sparked a fire here in the U.S. and throughout the world. While antisemitic incidents had already been on the rise, these attacks threw fuel onto the fire. We saw the impact almost immediately. Online. In the streets. On our campuses.

There have been over ten thousand antisemitic incidents in the year since 10/7. Ten thousand. This is by far the highest number of incidents in the U.S. that ADL has ever recorded. Antisemitic bomb threats against synagogues. Assaults against Jewish students on campus. Harassment online and in once-quiet communities. Similarly angry and dangerous incidents have been taking place around the globe at the same time.

I could go on with statistic after statistic, chilling case after chilling case. But here’s the thing. With you and the rest of my friends in the ADL community, I don’t have to.

Because every single one of you knows this story, and so many of you have been touched — whether by something that happened directly to you, to your children, to your loved ones or to those who are part of our extended community.

Today we mourn 10/7. May the memories of those slain that day be a blessing and may we all keep their goodness alive in our hearts. And for those still in captivity, may they be protected from harm and come home soon to your families.

Tomorrow, we start another year of the 10/8 world. And this is our challenge:

To fight for our brothers and sisters on the frontlines in Israel.

To never stop shouting for the release of our hostages.

To demonstrate compassion for innocent lives irrespective of their ethnicity or faith.

To speak out against antisemitism, wherever it comes from.

And when we in the ADL community are tested… to respond with resolve, compassion and intent to make the world a better place.

Am Yisroel Chai. The people of Israel live.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Greenblatt

CEO and National Director

ADL