'Shana Tova' From Obama, Cameron and Even Rouhani
Tables around the world were set with apple slices and honey Sunday evening in celebration of Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish new year. Translated literally as "the head of the year" or "the first of the year," Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the creation of the world, and of Adam and Eve specifically, as described in the Torah. It is the first of the High Holy Days and followed closely by Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement.
On the eve of the 5,776th year, according to the Jewish calendar, leaders in the U.S. and elsewhere published video messages to wish those observing the holiday Shana tova, or a good year.
During the holiday, "we recognize how much lies beyond our control," President Barack Obama said in a video posted to YouTube Friday. But "we also recognize our tremendous power to make a difference, in our lives and in our world," he added. "Let's usher in a sweet new year, full of health and happiness for families, friends and neighbors, whether they live down the street or halfway around the world."
British Prime Minister David Cameron sent his own video message, posted to YouTube Sunday. "I want to send my very best wishes to everyone in the Jewish community here in Britain and around the world as you celebrate this new year," he said.
"The High Holy Days offer moments to reflect as a community on the year that has passed and to make plans for the year ahead," he added, before turning his attention to anti-Semitism and his commitment to "stamp out such hatred now, and in the future," he said. "There is no more important task than working together to create a world free from prejudice and hate in all its forms."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin sent video messages as well, striking very different tones in their respective greetings.
"Since last Rosh Hashanah, it has become obvious to all but the most bigoted and prejudiced that Israel stands out like a beacon of progress, modernity, democracy and human rights in a region dominated by fanaticism, by terror, by unbelievable savagery," Netanyahu said. "We have those people who are leveling slanderous charges against the one and only Jewish state, the only democracy in the Middle East, and we have to repel those slanders," he added, saying the people of Israel do so because they "are united, proud of our past, confident in our future."
Rivlin said that "Israel faces many challenges both internally and externally—social challenges, economic challenges and, of course, security challenges." To overcome these challenges, he said, "we must work internally to strengthen the bonds between us, between the different communities that make up the Israeli people, and between our brothers and sisters, friends and supporters of Israel around the world."
A perhaps more unexpected greeting, the Associated Press reported, came in the form of a tweet from President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, a country that does not recognize Israel and supports militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
May our shared Abrahamic roots deepen respect & bring peace & mutual understanding. L'Shanah Tovah. #RoshHashanah pic.twitter.com/UheJPrjuVx
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) September 13, 2015
Twitter also presented Rosh Hashanah wishes from U.S. presidential candidates and other politicians, as well as leaders of Jewish organizations, performers, entrepreneurs and others.
L'Shana Tova! To all who celebrate, wishing you a sweet and healthy new year. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 13, 2015
Columba and I wish our Jewish friends a Happy and Sweet New Year. We pray that the year 5776 is filled with happiness. L'Shana Tova!
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) September 13, 2015
#ShanaTova to all in the U.S., #Israel, and around the world celebrating the Jewish New Year.
— John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) September 14, 2015
L'shana Tova to all welcoming the new year 5776. Let's pray it is one of peace, health & achdus for our communities and all the world.
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) September 13, 2015
Done: Round challot, apple upside down cake, sesame honey cake, apple honey tarts. Phew. Time to celebrate, rest, & pray. Shana Tova to all!
— Dan Shapiro (@AmbShapiro) September 13, 2015Shana Tova to all - have a sweet and happy New Year
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 13, 2015
As the Jewish community celebrates Rosh Hashanah, I extend my best wishes & pray for a wonderful year ahead.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 14, 2015
Jewish communities across Canada will come together to celebrate the start of the Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashanah. http://t.co/t7oz98rX6p
— Stephen Harper (@stephenharper) September 11, 2015
#ShanaTova tweeps! Have great holidays! Twee you in 49 hours! pic.twitter.com/qGXgT2A14B
— William Daroff (@Daroff) September 13, 2015
L’shanah tovah! Best wishes to all celebrating #RoshHashanah pic.twitter.com/XB88160VLc
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) September 14, 2015
La'Shana Tova to all who celebrate! May the New Year be beautiful, peaceful, joyful, love & laughter filled, and abundant.🙏🏻
— Debra Messing✍🏻 (@DebraMessing) September 13, 2015
SHANA TOVA to my tribe! Here's to peace and friendship...everything else we can figure out together! ✌🏼️🇮🇱
— Maksim Chmerkovskiy (@MaksimC) September 14, 2015
Safe, healthy, productive, and sweet 5776! L’Shana Tova!
— Max Levchin (@mlevchin) September 14, 2015
