New York Gov. Kathy Hochul posted a Rosh Hashanah video on X wishing Jewish communities a sweet new year and saying the state is taking steps so they can observe the High Holidays in peace, with “zero tolerance for antisemitism.” According to the post, the message was aimed at New Yorkers marking the holiday. Online users reacted after the clip circulated, with many replies calling the greeting political and questioning her record rather than responding to the holiday wish.
The footage opens with Hochul speaking to the camera in front of an Albany banner. “Shana Tova,” she says. “From my family to yours, I want to wish you a sweet and happy New Year.” As she continues, “And look ahead to a 5787 filled with many, many blessings; we cherish the opportunity to gather with friends and family.”
She then turns to security. “But even as we celebrate, we’re confronting a staggering rise in antisemitism,” she says. “I want you to know that hate has no place in the great State of New York, and that’s why I have made protecting houses of worship a top priority.”
In the clip, she says the state is “distributing over $70 million in awards for increased security at synagogues,” that her budget “includes another $90 million for security at non-public schools like yeshivas,” and that she has “directed the State Police to surge their presence at religious sites across the state.”
The video also includes her warning to anyone who might disrupt services. “And in case any protesters are planning to interfere with your right to worship in peace,” she says, “our new buffer zone law means that harassment within 50 feet of a synagogue is now a crime.”
She closes on camera: “Please know that as long as I’m governor, I will use all my power to combat antisemitism during the High Holidays and throughout the year. Because my solidarity with the Jewish community will never waver. Thank you again, and again, Shana Tova.” The clip does not show any incident at a service; it is a campaign-style montage of her remarks and earlier public appearances.
Responses to Hochul’s Rosh Hashanah Video
A smaller set of replies returned the greeting, including “Shana Tova” and “Happy New Year, governor.”
Many other commenters treated the message as political. One wrote, “The level to which you pander is off the charts.”
Another said, “Don’t be fooled, my Jewish brothers and sisters. She just wants your vote.” A third wrote, “You endorse and support hatred for the Jewish people. Stop pandering and pick a side.”
Some tied the greeting to other recent disputes, including “Why didn’t you wear your hijab for this video?” and “I voted for you. You endorsed Mamdani. I regret voting for you.”
Others pointed to crime figures rather than the holiday wish, including a comment that cited “425 hate crimes so far this year and 54% are against the Jewish Community,” a claim that was not independently confirmed in the post.
The exchange leaves Hochul’s High Holiday message sitting inside a larger fight over how New York handles antisemitism and whom its leaders choose to back. That argument is likely to follow her through the rest of the holiday season and into the fall campaign.
