Pollies’ Rosh Hashanah greetings
Malcolm Turnbull
Prime Minister
FOR thousands of years Rosh Hashanah has heralded the beginning of the High Holy Days, a season of introspection and prayer, a time to contemplate the past and share in hopes for the future.
As Jewish people around Australia and the world gather at this special time, I hope you will find comfort and strength in the traditions of the oldest of the monotheistic faiths.
Our nation is the most successful multicultural society in the world. We live together in a society underpinned by mutual respect. We must never allow people to seek to divide us on racial or religious grounds through acts of incitement.
Reflecting on the past year, the work that my government has done with the Jewish Community has filled me with pride. Welcoming the first sitting Israeli Prime Minister to Australia and strengthening the deep engagement that we have with the Jewish Diaspora here in Australia.
In the year to come I am looking forward to visiting Israel and strengthening the already strong relationship that Israel and Australia have together.
With these thoughts in mind, I hope the Australian Jewish community will enjoy a sweet and blessed Rosh Hashanah and a spiritually fulfilling High Holy Days.
I wish you all the best for the year ahead.
L’Shana Tova.
Bill Shorten
Federal Opposition Leader
ON behalf of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party, I send my best wishes to everyone celebrating the Jewish New Year – Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish month of Tishrei and is a time when families and friends gather to reflect on the past and look ahead with hope and renewed purpose for the year ahead.
The enduring traditions of Rosh Hashanah serve as a reminder to us all of our responsibility to one another and of what we can accomplish when we each collectively work towards justice, equality and a better future for every one of us.
As the Prophet Isaiah teaches us: “if you give what you have to the hungry, and fill the needs of those who suffer, then your light shall shine in the darkness, and your darkness shall be like noon.”
I take this opportunity to thank the Jewish community in Australia who have contributed greatly towards the diverse fabric of our nation. Communities are strongest when they unite on one front: compassion, growth and hope for all people of all faiths and backgrounds.
As the shofar echos through the synagogues on this joyous occasion and communities break challah bread together, let us all be inspired towards goodness, happiness and prosperity for the year ahead.
Shana Tova Umetukah
Daniel Andrews
Premier, Victoria
IT gives me great pleasure to wish all Jewish Victorians L’Shanah Tovah.
Rosh Hashanah is a time to be with family, friends and for people to celebrate proudly here in Victoria, home of our nation’s largest Jewish Community.
Rosh Hashanah is also a time to share high hopes for the year ahead.
Although circumstances meant we had to postpone our trip, I hope to return to Israel before the next Rosh Hashanah.
We have some exciting announcements about business engagement, cultural connections and technology advancements.
I look forward to building on Victoria and Israel’s proud partnership and I wish you all the best for the new year.
Matthew Guy
Victorian Opposition Leader
I AM honoured to send my best wishes to Victoria’s Jewish community as it comes together to celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah,
This most holy of days commemorates the beginning of the New Year, and is a time of prayer, reflection and peace.
It is a significant time of the year for the Jewish communities all around the world and a cherished time to spend with family and loved ones in the spirit of reflection and community celebration.
The Jewish community is renowned for its strong commitment to family and community and for upholding the rich traditions of the Jewish faith.
Victoria’s Jewish community continues to enrich and contribute to Victoria’s society, culture and economy.
Victoria’s Jewish community has a strong and proud history and I thank you for your vital and ongoing contribution to our diverse state.
During this period we are reminded of the large and growing contribution that all Victorians make to our multicultural society.
I wish your families and community a peaceful and joyous Jewish New Year. Shanah Tovah.
Gladys Berejiklian
NSW Premier
IT is with great pleasure that I send The Australian Jewish News and Jewish communities across NSW my very best wishes for Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of a new year.
As you prepare for the New Year ahead, this is a time to share in the Rosh Hashanah spirit of tradition with family and friends through the dipping of challah and apple in honey whilst reflecting on the year that has passed.
From the joy of celebrating Rosh Hashanah to the solemnity of Yom Kippur, this time of prayer and looking to the future is one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar.
As you hear the sound of the shofar may your prayers be answered and your name inscribed in the Book of Life.
The Jewish Australian community has a long and successful history here in NSW, and has been an important contributor to the development of our state.
The NSW Government is proud of our Jewish Australian community for their commitment to our multicultural way of life, and the promotion of interfaith dialogue and social harmony.
I wish you all a joyous Rosh Hashanah and I hope you enjoy a peaceful year of good health, happiness and contentment.
L’Shanah Tovah.
Luke Foley
NSW Opposition Leader
WISHING everyone in the Jewish community a ‘Shana Tovah’ for a good, sweet and happy Rosh Hashanah.
I also hope that all the upcoming High Holy Days are a meaningful time spent with family and friends.
Chag Sameach!
Anton Block
President, Executive Council of Australian Jewry
AS we approach the Yamim Noraim, our time of reflection and renewal, we take stock of the year that has passed and express our hopes for the year to come.
This year was marked by a great deal of political upheaval abroad, the resurgence of far-right movements, and terrorist attacks of appalling scale and frequency. We saw more devastating attacks on Israeli civilians, including the slaying of the Salomon family as they sat to Shabbat dinner in their home. All too frequently, we joined with the people of Israel and Jews worldwide in expressing our sorrow and revulsion at these inhumane crimes.
At home, we have witnessed a sharp increase in anti-Semitic incidents and a range of crucial policy battles including the fight to protect anti-racism law in this country, and to oppose the demonisation of Israel in government and civil society. The challenges we face as a community and a society are numerous but we must also note our blessings and good fortune. We as Australian Jews are privileged to live in a society of openness, compassion and tolerance where we are free to assemble, worship and practise our ancient rites and customs. Our community is united, strong and resilient and ably served by the dedication and excellence of our representative bodies.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, as the peak representative body of the Australian Jewish community, will continue to work relentlessly to meet the challenges before us. We ask you to stand with us again in the coming year and support our work representing the interests of the Jewish people in this country and throughout the world.
On behalf of all of us at the ECAJ, we extend best wishes to each and every person in our wonderful community for a shana tova umetuka k’tiva v’chatima tova, a year of health, happiness, prosperity and peace.
Danny Lamm
President, Zionist Federation of Australia
I EXTEND warm Rosh Hashanah greetings to the Australian Jewish community on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, 5778 for a New Year of health, happiness, growth and security for our people.
The Jewish New Year is the perfect time for introspection and reflection. It gives us time to consider the accomplishments and challenges over the past year both within the Australian Zionist movement and in Israel.
I’m enthused by Israel’s efforts highlighted by the historic visit of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Australia. I am heartened to see the respective leaders of our two countries reinforce the bond between us, which will extend to PM Turnbull’s significant visit to Israel in October as guest of PM Netanyahu at the centenary of the Battle of the Lighthorse Brigade in Beersheba.
The ZFA continues to strengthen the Australian connection to Israel through our operational departments. Our Israel Programs department facilitates the trips of hundreds of young adults to Israel each year. Our Arava Australia Partnership exemplifies our support of Israel’s pioneering spirit through people to people contact. Our relationship with the Golan and commitment to building future leadership continues through the successful world renowned Diller Teen Fellows Program. We foster and facilitate Aliyah. Habayit, our home of Hebrew language and Israeli culture has continued to expand its reach and program offerings.
It is vital for us to be involved with all parts of the Australian Jewish community and Kangarusski now reaches over 1000 Russian speaking Jewish people. Our Israel advocacy efforts respond to misrepresentation and disinformation about Israel in the media and I call on our community to join us in this endeavour.
We have made sure that our unwavering support for the safety and security of all citizens of the State of Israel is always on display and will continue to do so in the future.
Shana tova umetuka, ktiva v’chatima tova
Graham Ashton
Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police
VICTORIA Police proudly serves a multicultural community that speaks over 260 different languages as well as follows over 130 different faiths.
We are proud of the wonderful relationship that we enjoy with the Jewish community which is why it gives me the greatest of pleasure to wish Victoria’s Jewish community a warm L’shanah Tovah, well over the fast and Chag Sameach for Succot!
comments