News

Every year as Rosh Hashanah approaches, I try to carve out time for deep self-reflection. I ask myself where I stand as a father, a husband, a community leader, and as a Jew.

But this year feels different. Our Jewish community worldwide has been through so much since last Rosh Hashanah that it makes my head spin. As I write this message, Iranian missiles are raining down over Israel. Jewish life on American campuses has changed drastically with some experiencing real antisemitism. 101 hostages are still captive in Gaza. Who could have possibly imagined all this just one year ago? With the world changing so quickly, and the Jewish community under so much pressure, it almost seems petty to think about changing myself.

Yet, Rosh Hashanah calls on us all to do exactly that. In the face of a world that seems to shift by the day, Judaism teaches us to pause, reflect, and consider how we ourselves can grow. It's a time to look inside?precisely when the changes outside feel overwhelming.

More than ever, my personal reflections are intertwined with my work at JGO. I'm constantly inspired by the staff and student leaders we work in partnership with?young Jews navigating an uncertain world with a determination to make their own place in it. Our programs are thriving, and we see Jewish students coming together in record numbers?not to cause mayhem or for political stunts like other groups on campus?but simply to connect with the Jewish community in a way that's meaningful to them. To become more inspired and committed Jews.

These students remind me that change under fire?both personal and communal?is not something to shy away from. It's something we need to embrace. They're adapting, learning, and growing into the kind of Jews they need to be at this moment, and in turn, they're pushing me to grow as well. They seek solidarity, meaning, and a path forward in a world that feels increasingly fractured.

At JGO, we've made it our mission to help them on that journey. We provide a space for students to explore their Jewish identities, to ask questions, and to figure out how their Judaism fits into the lives they're building. Watching them do this gives me hope and strengthens my resolve as we move into the new year.

So, while the world may be spinning faster than ever, and the challenges seem greater than ever, I'm reminded that Rosh Hashanah isn't about passively watching the changes happening around us?it's about catalyzing the changes we make within ourselves. It's about finding balance between who we are and who we want to become, even as the tectonic plates beneath us constantly shift.

As I reflect on this past year, I feel proud of the work we've done at JGO, but I also know there's much more to do?both for myself and for our community. And I'm ready to take it on with renewed energy, focus, and hope for what's to come?with your support.

Wishing you and your loved ones a sweet, peaceful, meaningful, and fulfilling 5785.

Shana Tovah