Rosh Hashanah greetings from President Obama
The video message is above. The key passage:
At the dawn of this New Year, let us rededicate ourselves to that work. Let us reject the impulse to harden ourselves to others’ suffering, and instead make a habit of empathy – of recognizing ourselves in each other and extending our compassion to those in need.
Let us resist prejudice, intolerance, and indifference in whatever forms they may take -- let us stand up strongly to the scourge of anti-Semitism, which is still prevalent in far too many corners of our world.
Let us work to extend the rights and freedoms so many of us enjoy to all the world’s citizens – to speak and worship freely; to live free from violence and oppression; to make of our lives what we will.
"And let us work to achieve lasting peace and security for the state of Israel, so that the Jewish state is fully accepted by its neighbors, and its children can live their dreams free from fear. That is why my Administration is actively pursuing the lasting peace that has eluded Israel and its Arab neighbors for so long.
A full transcript of Obama's remarks is after the jump:
As members of the Jewish faith here in America and around the world gather to celebrate the High Holidays, I want to extend my warmest wishes for this New Year. L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu – may you have a good year, and may you be inscribed for blessing in the Book of Life.
Rosh Hashanah marks the start of a new year – a time of humble prayer, joyful celebration, and hope for a new beginning. Ten days later, Yom Kippur stands as a day of reflection and repentance. And this sacred time provides not just an opportunity for individual renewal and reconciliation, but for families, communities and even nations to heal old divisions, seek new understandings, and come together to build a better world for our children and grandchildren.
At the dawn of this New Year, let us rededicate ourselves to that work. Let us reject the impulse to harden ourselves to others’ suffering, and instead make a habit of empathy – of recognizing ourselves in each other and extending our compassion to those in need.
Let us resist prejudice, intolerance, and indifference in whatever forms they may take -- let us stand up strongly to the scourge of anti-Semitism, which is still prevalent in far too many corners of our world.
Let us work to extend the rights and freedoms so many of us enjoy to all the world’s citizens – to speak and worship freely; to live free from violence and oppression; to make of our lives what we will.
And let us work to achieve lasting peace and security for the state of Israel, so that the Jewish state is fully accepted by its neighbors, and its children can live their dreams free from fear. That is why my Administration is actively pursuing the lasting peace that has eluded Israel and its Arab neighbors for so long.
Throughout history, the Jewish people have been, in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “a light unto the nations.” Through an abiding commitment to faith, family, and justice, Jews have overcome extraordinary adversity, holding fast to the hope of a better tomorrow.
In this season of renewal, we celebrate that spirit; we honor a great and ancient faith; and we rededicate ourselves to the work of repairing this world.
Michelle and I wish all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah a healthy, peaceful and sweet New Year.
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Very nice message, convincingly delivered. Preaching to Jews not to harden our hearts seems to to miss the point that without standing up to our enemies (means hardening our hearts0 no beating Jjewish hearts would be left. Much more would be achieved if, instead of telling Muslims what a fine lot they are and how “we share our values with them,” Obama would tell them how hard their hearts are in their treatment of their own people and how this cruelty spills over to the way Islamic societies face the world. The Cairo speech WAS a beginning (with reality lapses and historical errors), but only a follow-up as a reminder of the “root causes” - Arab intollerance and unmanaged fury - would do wonders to restore reality in an area wrapped in myth. Complete acceptance by Arabs of Israel as a legitimate state in the Middle East would bring the conflict to aan end; dancing around the problem and asking Jews to “soften their hearts” towards their mortal enemies is just a tap dance.
Hillel Susskind, I thought that was a hairy ass sitting on your slimy shoulders. You must be a relative of Joe Wilson. Boichik, you really have the wrong last name—you are surely not a “sweet child,” but rather a rude and crude moron. What chutzpah you have addressing our President in that manner after he took time to issue to us High Holy Days greetings. Shame on you, this act could keep you from being listed in the Book of Life.
Not even on Erev Rosh Hashanah can the evil “mussa/hillel” refrain from being a complete disgrace to humanity and an inspiration to Jew haters everywhere!
P.S. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME IF JTA SUSPENDED THIS CRUDE, VOMITOUS ANIMAL. iF SO, WHY IS IT STILL AROUND???
Shana Tova to all.
Obama told Bibi to stop the settlements. He told Abbas to “reduce” the hatred of Israel, mind you, he did not say stop! Afterwards Abbas said he will wait until Bibi is thrown out from office, and refuses to talk to Bibi.
Overall Bibi has become more popular in Israel. So the old Clintonian approach of snubbing Bibi has not worked. Remember how Clinton pampered Arafat, and would not have lunch with Bibi?
So Obama is wrong here.
Shana Tova to all.
Chayim.
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rezasantorini
09/18/09 04:58 PM
Tell Obama the reason the Arabs don’t have peace is because they can’t accept Jews as equals any more than they can accept Christians as equals any more they can accept Hindus or Buddhists as equals. Muslims, Arab or not, they are not a peaceful religion and they need to be controlled. Giving them more power won’t help...telling them they have to accept others is going to be more change than Obama can muster.