Pollies’ Rosh Hashanah greetings
Prime Minister Scott Morrison: "I extend my warmest greetings to all who are marking Rosh Hashanah – the start of the Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the beginning of life."
Scott Morrison
Prime Minister
I extend my warmest greetings to all who are marking Rosh Hashanah – the start of the Jewish New Year and the anniversary of the beginning of life.
In keeping with this ancient festival – one of the high holy days of your faith – you honour the past and prepare for the future through reflection and repentance.
By your actions and prayer, each of you keep alive a sacred tradition that holds both memory and hope for Jewish people across the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic has cast its shadow over all our lives and kept us from the rites and gatherings we yearn to celebrate.
I know this year your celebrations will once again be subdued, but I have faith that you will find inspiration and sweetness in these days of awe, as the sound of the shofar echoes in your hearts.
The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks said that Rosh Hashanah allows us ‘to begin anew, forgiven, cleansed, undaunted, ready for the next challenge, the next year.’
Though some challenges still lie ahead, I hope you can begin this New Year in a renewed spirit of hope and faith.
May you draw deeply on the same wells of solace and resilience in these difficult times that have sustained the Jewish people through generations.
L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem.
Anthony Albanese
Federal Opposition Leader
On behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I wish readers of The Australian Jewish News and all members of the Australian Jewish community a Shana Tova U’Metukah – a sweet and happy new year.
As I said this time last year, it is a wish that is even more powerfully heartfelt during this time of pandemic; I have every hope that is a sentence I never have to repeat again.
However, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, Rosh Hashanah and the High Holy Days resolutely remain what they have always been: a time for family and community. Even as physical distance comes between you and your loved ones, nothing will ever stretch your emotional bonds.
With the quiet of lockdown having fallen across many parts of the country, the sound of the Shofar is even more welcome as it announces a new year and a fresh start for our Jewish community and across the world. It is also a time of reflection and repentance, and a renewal of our dedication to making Australia better for all Australians.
I am deeply grateful to the Australian Jewish community for your long and remarkable history of contribution. Quite simply, this country is unimaginable without you. Just as you have helped make Australia the nation it is today, you will help shape Australia as we emerge from this crisis.
May this new year of 5782 bring you and your family naches and simchas, and may the Shofar be granted extra decibels as it ushers in what we all hope will be a year of joy and success, recovery and renewal.
Daniel Andrews
Victorian Premier
Victorians have had to make difficult choices over the last year and a half.
The pandemic has tested us – day after day. But throughout it all we’ve seen beautiful examples of Victorians coming together to stay safe and protect their community.
I recently visited the Beth Weizmann centre – an opportunity to celebrate that sense of community outreach which has been so vital in recent times.
It was great to see community leaders, organisations and volunteers gather together and advance the unity and strength that is central to the Victorian Jewish community.
This year Rosh Hashanah will look different to those in years gone by – but the sacrifices you make will keep your loved ones and the whole Victorian community safe.
Despite these tough times, our Victorian Jewish community can and will continue to face them together.
I send my best wishes to the staff at The AJN and their readers and wish you all a healthy, peaceful and sweet Rosh Hashanah.
L’shanah tovah.
Gladys Berejiklian
NSW Premier
I extend my best wishes to everyone in the Jewish community in NSW preparing to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
One of Judaism’s holiest days, Rosh Hashanah marks not only the start of a new year but God’s creation of the world. It is a time for prayer and reflection, for good deeds and making amends with others.
I appreciate that the COVID-19 pandemic means you will not celebrate this solemn occasion as you normally would and I thank you all for supporting the measures we have put in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
I am also deeply grateful to the Jewish community for working with us to communicate the NSW health messages as widely as possible and for your efforts to support vulnerable people, at home and abroad, as part of your ongoing contribution to our harmonious multicultural society.
I wish you and your loved ones all the best as you welcome in the Hebrew New Year 5782.
Michael O’Brien
Victorian Opposition Leader
I am delighted to send my best wishes to Victoria’s Jewish community on Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah is a significant date on the Jewish religious calendar as it marks the commencement of 10 days of introspection and reflection, a significant time for the Jewish community across the globe, including here in Victoria.
Rosh Hashanah is a time of renewal, reflection, and a time for everyone to come together in celebration of the love they have for their faith, culture and family.
Unfortunately, this year, Rosh Hashanah finds us again in a time of uncertainty where family and friends coming together to celebrate this holy event may be prohibited due to COVID-19 restrictions. No doubt, this will be especially difficult for all, particularly our elderly and vulnerable Jewish community members.
We remain strengthened by the enduring message of Rosh Hashanah that with hope, faith and courage, we can overcome everything.
The Victorian Jewish community is a shining example to all on how to care for their own and share this compassion, knowledge and support with the wider community to make Victoria this wonderful multicultural state.
Together with my colleagues, we wish our Jewish community a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous New Year.
Shana Tova.
Chris Minns
NSW Opposition Leader
ON behalf of NSW Labor, I wish all Jewish Australians a happy and healthy Rosh Hashanah.
The New Year is a time to reflect on the challenges and achievements of the past 12 months, as well as an opportunity for a fresh start. The welcoming of this new year will be difficult for many with families unable to come together in the traditional way.
So I thank everyone for following the health advice during this pandemic, as well as those who are working to keep our community safe.
The Australian Jewish community continues to make an important contribution to our community, especially during this challenging time.
I look forward to working together with your community to get NSW back on its feet once this health crisis is behind us. Shana Tova!
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