‘A message that resonates well beyond the Jewish people’

I send my best wishes to all Jewish people celebrating Rosh Hashanah. At the heart of Rosh Hashanah are themes of renewal, reflection and responsibility. It’s a time to acknowledge that we can’t change the past, but we can shape the future.

Rosh Hashanah carries a message that resonates well beyond the Jewish people. It calls on us to look at what has been, and to consider what can be. Every new year is an opportunity to begin again. The tradition of honest self-examination is not always easy, but it is profoundly important.

The Jewish story offers a powerful reminder that even in the hardest of times, resilience and renewal are possible. Across thousands of years, through exile and struggle, Jewish communities have kept their traditions alive and passed them from generation to generation. As you gather with family and friends, know that your faith, your heritage and your work have helped shape Australia for the better. The Jewish people have enriched our nation.

I hope the year ahead brings health, joy and peace. May it be a year of blessing for your families, the Jewish people and the world.

I also want to thank the Jewish community for the warm welcome I have received at so many events throughout the year. I look forward to attending many more and continuing to support the community in every way I can.