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 to help them 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.”
The law is more specific than simply banning protests within 50 feet of a synagogue. It makes it a crime to knowingly and intentionally interfere with someone entering or leaving a place of worship, or to engage in certain conduct within 50 feet that reasonably causes someone seeking access to fear for their safety. Police may also establish a security perimeter during demonstrations.
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 religious service. Instead, it combines Hochul’s remarks with footage from 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 hate-crime figures rather than the holiday greeting. One commenter cited “425 hate crimes so far this year” and claimed 54% were against the Jewish community.
That figure closely matches the NYPD’s latest statistics for New York City. Through August, police reported 425 confirmed hate crimes in 2026, including 229 classified as anti-Jewish with is roughly 54% of the total.
Hochul’s Rosh Hashanah message quickly became another political argument in the replies. Still, the concern she raised about antisemitism comes amid documented levels of anti-Jewish hate crime in New York City. Through August, NYPD data shows anti-Jewish incidents accounted for roughly 54% of the city’s confirmed hate crimes this year.
Whether commenters viewed Hochul’s message as reassurance or political pandering, her promise was clear: increased security around Jewish institutions and “zero tolerance for antisemitism” as New Yorkers observe the High Holidays.
