Keep hope alive, says Peres in Rosh Hashanah message

President acknowledges ‘stormy time’ but tells world Jewry there is ‘no room to lose faith’

By JTA 29 August 2013, 7:37 pm

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President Shimon Peres seen answering phone calls from Israeli citizens during a visit at the 'Moked 100,' emergency call center, at the police headquarters in Jerusalem, August 29, 2013. (Photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

President Shimon Peres in his annual Rosh Hashanah message told world Jewry there is “no room to lose hope” in the coming year.

Rosh Hashanah, he pointed out in the message released Thursday, “carries with it great opportunities and great hope,” and Yom Kippur is “the time to forgive all the mistakes we have committed, knowingly or unknowingly, and we all commit mistakes.”

Peres continued: “We are going through a stormy time but there is no room to lose hope and to lose faith. I do believe that out of this very complicated situation we can carry the hope of a better year for all mankind, for the Jewish people, for all your families, for each of us.”

The message is due to be released as a video on Peres’ Facebook page and YouTube Channel in the coming days, according to the President’s Office.

“Let’s pray for a happy new year for all of us and to each of us,” he said.