Focusing on renewal, Obama wishes Jews ‘Shana Tova’
In annual greeting, US president calls for reaffirmation of 'unshakeable bond' with Israel
US President Barack Obama released his annual Rosh Hashana video greetings Tuesday, quoting Elie Wiesel’s reflection that “God gave human beings a secret — and that secret was not how to begin, but how to begin again.”
“We’ve been reminded many times that our world still needs repair,” he said, referencing his administration’s efforts to fix the economy at home, and to stand for the dignity of every human being abroad.
He added that the US stands “against the scourge of anti-Semitism.”
Obama also called for a reaffirmation of “the friendships and bonds that keep us strong, including our unshakeable alliance with the State of Israel.”
The message followed Monday’s conference call with US rabbis, a conversation that focused on foreign policy and the Middle East.
Also Tuesday, British Prime Minister David Cameron posted his High Holiday message to YouTube, praising British Jews’ “immense contribution” to the United Kingdom.
Turning to foreign policy, Cameron called for “a lasting peace in the Middle East,” and a future for Israelis in which they did not have to live in fear of rocket attacks. Like Obama, Cameron also decried the recent rise in anti-Semitism incidents.
“G’mar tov, and Shana Tova,” Cameron finished, using a traditional Hebrew High Holiday greeting.