October 7, 2023 is a date forever etched into our collective memory. The horrific terrorist attack on Israel sent shockwaves through the global Jewish community, piercing the heart of every one of us, no matter where we lived, prayed, or how we identified. But even amid horror and grief, something powerful emerged here in Teaneck. That painful day stripped away the differences that often separate us and reminded us of a truth we sometimes forget—we are one people. The distinctions of practice or affiliation became irrelevant. It was about all of us rising together, moving forward, and showing the world that we are stronger together.
In the aftermath of the attack, the divisions that once seemed important faded. What mattered was not the nuances of our differences but our shared identity as Jews, targeted for nothing more than existing. Teaneck’s Jewish community responded immediately and with profound strength. We didn’t need to be told what was at stake, we felt it in our bones. This was an attack on all of us, and in coming together, we found resilience.
This was not a moment for superficial leadership or empty gestures of peace and unity. True leadership shines through in moments of crisis, and in these critical months, we saw who stood up, no matter the political cost or personal risk. It wasn’t about public posturing or settling old political scores. It was about who had the courage to speak out when our community needed it most. Leadership isn’t about popularity—it’s about action. And action is what we saw.
When Nerdeen Kiswani—leader of Within Our Lifetime, the group responsible for shutting down the Brooklyn Bridge and organizing protests at Columbia University—brought her campaign of hatred into Teaneck to target Zaka, we were exhausted. Emotionally drained from the relentless protests, battered by the waves of hate, and worn down. But when our sacred spaces were threatened, we didn’t hesitate. We didn’t cower. We didn’t retreat. And we certainly didn’t respond with the same hatred they tried to inflict on us. Instead, we stood firm, grounded in our values, with a quiet strength that comes not from anger but from conviction. We gathered together, drawing power from the songs that have carried our people through centuries of adversity and survival. Singing Hatikvah wasn’t just an expression of hope—it was a statement of defiance, continuity, and life. As the Teaneck Police escorted her out, we sent a clear message: No amount of hatred will silence us, and no force can shake our resolve.
October 7 and the days that followed were a reminder not only of the fragility of life but also of our inner strength. When we stood together, it wasn’t just a response to tragedy—it was a testament to the unbreakable bond that holds us together as Jews. We honored our ancestors with our resilience, and we made a promise to future generations: We will protect each other, and we will never allow ourselves to be divided. But our unity cannot surface only in moments of crisis. The strength we found in each other during those days isn’t fleeting; it is the lifeline that has kept our people alive for millennia. Teaneck showed the world that we are not a community divided by political or religious differences but a family bound by something much deeper. That unity is our future, and we must hold onto it.
In Teaneck, we have long had different visions for our town, whether it’s the Teaneck of today or the Teaneck of tomorrow. But after October 7, one truth is clear: What binds us together is far more powerful than what pulls us apart. As we look ahead, we must ask ourselves: Who will continue to stand up for this community? Who will fight for us, protect what matters most, and ensure that we never fall into silence or division again?
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, zt”l, wisely said, “The test of loyalty is not whether we stand by someone when it is easy, but whether we stand by them when it is hard.” Think back to who checked in on you that morning, who spoke up when we needed an allied voice, and who was there for us at our worst. As we decide who will lead us in the future, we must ask: Who will continue to stand up for our community, speak out against hate, and protect what matters most? If we turn our backs on those who stood with us in our darkest times, we may find ourselves standing alone when the next crisis comes.
Hilary Goldberg is a Teaneck Town Council member and Teaneck High School graduate.
