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Johnny Kim (SNN, Jerusalem) - Ahead of Rosh Hashana (https://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm) 5781, President of Israel Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin this evening, Thursday 17 September / 28 Elul, sent a Shana Tova greeting to Israelis and to Jewish communities around the world.

Here's President Rivlin’s remarks in full: 

“Dear friends, אחֵינו כל בית ישראל, our dear brothers and sisters around the world. 

This past year has been one of highs and lows. Only nine months ago, around fifty world leaders came together in Jerusalem to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, committing to fighting anti-Semitism, and preserving the memory of the Holocaust.

Unfortunately, since then for most of the year we have all been dealing with the corona-virus pandemic. We have lost loved ones. Our schools, synagogues, and community centers have been closed, and we still face great uncertainty about the future. 

As the year ends and the new year begins, we are all hoping and praying that the new year will bring a cure for the corona-virus and that we will, once again, be able to meet each other in person, and return to our normal lives. 

Reflecting on the past year I hope that in the next year we will be more sensitive to the needs of the elderly and of the weakest members of society, especially to those who are alone. I hope and believe that this period has reminded us that כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה the entire Jewish people are one family, that we must take responsibility for one another, and that what unites us is much greater than what divides. 

Dear friends, in the last weeks we are witnessing a historic moment for Israel and for the Middle East, with the Peace Agreement between Israel and the Emirates. I hope that this new spirit of cooperation will help us move forward with our Palestinian neighbors and with all the countries of the Middle East as well. 

May the coming year be a year in which the bonds between Israel and the Diaspora and between Jewish communities everywhere grow stronger and stronger. From Jerusalem, I would like to wish you allשנה טובה וּמתוקה! May you all be blessed with happiness, joy and good health. I look forward to welcoming you next year in Jerusalem. 

God bless you all.” 

Photo credit: Mark Neyman (GPO)