After the shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah, we recite these famous words:

 

הַיּוֹם הֲרַת עוֹלָם. הַיּוֹם יַעֲמִיד בַּמִּשְׁפָּט
 

Hayom Harat Olam, HaYom Ya’amid Bamishpat
 

“On this day, the world came into being; On this day, we stand in judgment.”

 

This phrase so succinctly captures the dual aspects of the holiday we are about to begin.

 

Rosh Hashanah is our Jewish New Year. We are surrounded by family and friends and community. It is the birthday of the world and the day we proclaim the kingship of the Almighty and so it is the perfect time to inventory our lives and express our gratitude to God and appreciation to our families for all the blessings we have received.

 

And there is so much to be grateful for in our Jewish world today. We are grateful for the health and prosperity of our communities, the strength of our Jewish institutions, the surge in interest in Jewish life, the growth of Jewish education and engagement, the resilience of our beloved State of Israel, the generosity of our donors, and much more.

 

At the same time, on Rosh Hashanah, we reflect honestly on what we have done and what more we must do. As we stand in judgment this Rosh Hashanah, we acknowledge that we have much critical work to do.

 

In the past year, it has become obvious that there is an urgent need for further investment in the safety and security of our community. This Rosh Hashanah coincides with the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a further reminder that we are living in an age of violent terrorism. The fate of all free societies and of the Jewish community are deeply intertwined. That is why we work closely with government and law enforcement to protect our communities, while at the same time taking our own measures to ensure that we are safe.

 

We must also devote more time and attention to the civic affairs of our communities. Federations are on the frontlines of the fight against rising antisemitism and incitement, and we are all committed to using our relationships to protect the civil societies that have enabled our countries and our Jewish communities to flourish.

 

And we see clearly how much there is to be done to ensure that every Jewish family has access to quality and affordable avenues to fully immerse themselves in Jewish life. Jewish camping, volunteering in Israel, Jewish preschools, youth engagement in high school and college and, of course, growing Jewish day school education, are all at the top of our agenda as we enter the Jewish year of 5787. The more we are able to support building strong Jewish identities, strengthening Jewish learning and the study of Torah and our beautiful heritage, the more our community will grow and flourish.

 

And of course we will continue to stand by our brothers and sisters in Israel recovering and rebuilding from war and tragedy. We are especially mindful that this is the first Rosh Hashanah since 2023 with no hostages held in Gaza or other foreign lands. We will also stand by all Jews around the world who are in need of help, especially those in Ukraine who face the continued brutal war waged by Russia that will soon head into yet another long, cold winter. 

 

There is so much for us to be proud of as 5786 draws to a close. We have led our communities on the most pressing issues of the day, we have lobbied our government officials, and we have publicly and quietly supported thousands of important Jewish organizations and causes.

 

On behalf of all our lay and professional colleagues at the Jewish Federations of North America, thank you for all you have done. May you all be judged favorably for your work and may you and all your loved ones be inscribed and sealed in the book of life.

 

May 5787 be a happy, healthy, safe and peaceful new year for all. When we hear the blast of the shofar, let us hear it as a renewed call to action for our community, spurring us to even greater accomplishment in 5787 so that next year at this time we will again be prepared for the day of judgment.