“Tonight, members of the Jewish community will gather with family and friends at sundown to begin the observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This high holiday provides a cherished opportunity to reflect on the past year, both the pain and the joy, and to draw meaning and wisdom from all that we have experienced.

“Over the last year, our communities have faced some of our greatest challenges yet. Forces of inequality, racism and anti-Semitism that we might have thought relegated to the past have been thrown into sharp and even violent relief.

“We must now recommit ourselves to the Jewish principle of Tikkun Olam. While the world is often imperfect and full of terrible injustice, it is our collective responsibility to fix it. We must work together to build a kinder, more tolerant, and more equal society for our children and our children’s children.

“I hope that this mission guides us in the coming year and for years after that, as we work to make our community stronger.

“To all those celebrating, I send my warmest wishes for a sweeter year to come. L’Shanah Tovah.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)