ROSH HASHANAH 5785 SECTION D, PAGE 24
Steve Mark:
I’ve been heartened during this rather tense and tumultuous year by the resolve of Denver’s Jewish community. From the chambers of the State Capitol to city halls across the region, to area campuses, our community has faced relentless challenges in the wake of Oct. 7, 2023. In all of these settings, our community has taken the opponents’ best shots and countered with dignity, logic and common sense.
My hope for 5785 is this: Keep fighting. This has been a weary road, and there are plenty of sharp curves to navigate still, but never forget that your voices make a difference.
Shana Goldberg:
Last year during Rosh Hashanah I reflected on a concept that I thought I would share in next year’s IJN Rosh Hashanah edition. Now, over 11 months after Oct. 7, I haven’t got a clue what the concept was.
On Oct. 7, everything changed.
Nearly a year later, I share only the prayer that I shared in the IJN’s first post-Oct. 7 edition, and which in those first weeks I would spontaneously recite during my commute, my mind swimming with thoughts about the hostages, the murdered, the forever altered.
“Our family, the whole House of Israel, who are in distress, or in captivity — who stand either in the sea or on dry land — may the Omnipresent have mercy on them and take them out from narrowness to expanse, and from darkness to light, and from oppression to redemption, now, swiftly, and soon!”
Larry Hankin:
The Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur machzor (prayerbook) is the original self-help book. This year, I am committed to really listen to the words of the prayers to find ways to be the best version of me in 5785.
I will also pray for an end to the war in Israel and for the Jewish people’s ability to remain resilient and strong in face of the disturbing and scary rise in anti-Semitism since Oct. 7. Chazak, Chazak, V’nitchazek — From strength to strength, may we be strengthened.
Lori Aron:
We pray this High Holiday season for:
The safe return of the hostages.
Strength and resolve for Israel.
More understanding from all countries for the Jewish people.
Peace and good health for our families.
Hashem to write us in the book of life.
Amen.
Karen Galatz:
A new year . . .
May it bring peace, health, happiness.
Wishing you and yours the very best that life can bring.
Shana Tova.
Sivan Rahav Meir:
Assembling my thoughts to write this Rosh Hashanah greeting, I take a deep breath. What a year we’ve all gone through! Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Yemen, combined with a surge of violent anti-Semitism all over the Jewish world — I don’t think any of us, in Israel or abroad, ever envisioned witnessing such a manifestation of absolute evil in our lifetime.
But the shock and the horror compelled many to question previously held beliefs and ask, “Who are we?” “Why are we here?” All over the world, questions about identity, heritage and mutual responsibility have flooded the media and public discourse.
Like Haman in the Purim story, our enemies attacked in the belief that the Jews, in Israel and around the world, were deeply divided, with many disconnected and unaffiliated. They were greatly mistaken. When put to the test, the Jewish people, in Israel and around the world, have been reconnecting with their core identity in a deep, fundamental way. Since Oct. 7, millions of Israelis, joined by Jews worldwide, have been donating money, taking action, doing battle, engaging in prayer and giving strength. Throughout Israel and the global Jewish community, our enemies’ efforts to defeat us only fortified us.
My fervent wish and prayer for the coming year: May we continue to see more and more of the Jewish people rediscovering their bond — with one another and with their Father in Heaven, so that we will merit this year to see the light defeat the darkness — in our hearts, on the battlefield, and throughout the entire world.
Shana Tova U’metuka!
Jordan Friedman:
Dear G-d,
Hear my prayer:
Out of the depths I cry to you O L-rd.
O L-rd, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
I hoped in the L-rd. My soul hoped. I wait for your word.
My soul is more eager for the L-rd than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, wait for the L-rd, for with the L-rd is steadfast love and great is His power to redeem.
It is He who will redeem Israel from all of their iniquities.
We have cried and waited for so long. Please, Father of Mercy, bring them home now.
Ps. 103:1-2, 5, 6, 7-8. Translation from Sefaria.org, including Rashi’s commentary.
Hillel Goldberg:
After Oct. 7: “There are no words.” But I need words. I turn to the eternal words of our sages, particularly in “Avinu Malkeinu, Our Father Our King”:
“Nullify the designs of those who hate us.”
“Thwart the counsel of our enemies.”
“Shut the mouths of our adversaries and accusers.”
“Inscribe us in the Book of Good Life.”
“Raise the reputation of Israel our people.”
“Hear our voice, have pity and compassion for us.”
“Take pity on us, and on our children and our infants.”
“Do it for those murdered for Your Holy Name.”
“Do it for those slaughtered for Jewish uniqueness.”
“Avenge before our eyes the spilt blood of Your servants.”
“Our Father, our King, be gracious with us and answer us . . . treat us with charity and kindness . . .”
Kathi Handler:
Our sages caution against using “cross words” and its consequences. I wish us all a good solution in the coming new year, a year of peace, harmony and unity, locally and between the Jewish communities of America and Israel.
Shanah Tova. Am Yisrael Chai.
Lucy Sullivan:
My greatest desire for this coming year and beyond, is serenity throughout this world and within our individual being.
L’chaim.
Tehilla Goldberg:
May this Rosh Hashanah bring a year replete with abundant solace, healing, dignity, safety, prosperity, success, connection with the Divine through joyous encounter and not the veiled countenance we have contended with this past year. But this year we all also really have one overarching heartfelt prayer and request that we cry out in unison from our depths: Bring an end to this anguish of war, sorrow, grief and national trauma! Let the hostages be released or rescued — imminently — from the claws of evil, to their safe harbor of home in Israel, alive, and into the embrace of their loved ones and the bosom of our people, Am Yisrael.
May this upcoming year turn out to be the very opposite of the tragedies that tore through our Jewish people this past year. May it be safe for us all, for our people, the land of Israel, the United States of America. And the entire world. May it be a year of unity.
Marc Angel:
Please Hashem, grant good health, strength and all blessings for us, our children and grandchildren, for all the Jewish people and all good people everywhere. May our enemies, whether internal or external, be thwarted in their evil and may they repent their ways speedily and soon.
May the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces be gloriously victorious in every way — militarily, diplomatically and in public opinion. May the enemies of Israel learn to overcome their hatred and make genuine peace with Israel speedily and soon.
May this difficult time of war, violence and hatred be followed by an extended period of peace, prosperity, mutual understanding and respect.
Please Hashem, give us wisdom to face our challenges; strength to defeat those who threaten us; and vision to look ahead to a brighter future that brings glory to Your great name, to Israel, and to all humanity.
© IJN 2024
