“When the sun sets tonight, members of the Jewish community will gather with family and friends across New York to begin the observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. As we close the old year and begin to write the story of the next, it is customary to reflect on the past year, on what we have done and what happened in the world around us. It is a time to draw meaning from these events, both joyful and sorrowful.

“This year we mourn the loss of a great leader, Shimon Peres, the former Israeli President, a lifetime public servant, and a man I was proud to call my friend. He exemplified Tikkun Olam, the Jewish principle that while the world is often imperfect and broken, it is our collective responsibility to fix it.

“Now, more than ever, we must dedicate ourselves to the healing of our broken world. We must work together to bring about justice and peace wherever we can. From my family to yours, L’Shanah Tovah.” ​

(YWN Desk – NYC)