Rabbi Avi Shlomo, Dean, Cape Town Torah High School
For 5785 I hope for moral clarity – that the world should see right from wrong, good from evil. Unfortunately, we live in a time of great confusion, and people are brainwashed about what’s right and wrong and what’s true and false. My prayer is that humanity should gain that clarity.
In difficult times, what holds us together, what gives us strength, is the strength of our family unit and our community, that we have each other’s backs. We’re seeing this here in our community and around the world – when we stand united, we are invincible. When you love one another, love empowers each other, and it empowers you to go forward.
Tal Smith, Sababa
On Rosh Hashanah, we always eat Chraime – spiced fish with garlic and tomato sauce, which you wipe up with challah! And Mafrum – potato pockets stuffed with flavoured mince, fried in a batter, and then slow-cooked in a tomato sauce. These are traditional North African dishes from my father’s side. My favourite Rosh Hashanah food is the leek fritters dipped in honey.
It’s been a tough year as a Jew with everything going on in Israel. The CSO, in particular, has been instrumental in keeping us safe,
and their commitment has blown me away!
Rabbi Malcolm Matitiani, Temple Israel Green Point
This Rosh Hashanah I’ll have an empty chair at the table for the hostages who cannot celebrate Rosh Hashanah and all those who have been oppressed and persecuted, much like we have empty chairs at our seder.
Galia Gluckman, Artist @galiagluckman
This year we are planning a big family reunion in Israel for Rosh Hashanah. It’s my dad’s 88th birthday a few days before. The dream this Rosh Hashanah is for peace, safety for our soldiers, the return of all our hostages and a family reunion in Israel.
Karen Kaimowitz, Educator and Principal, Herzlia Gan Aviv
Rosh Hashanah represents a special time in the Jewish calendar, where family traditions come alive and we embrace the chance for a fresh start. It’s a time for reflection and renewal, deeply rooted in our shared customs and traditions – all focusing on the hope for a meaningful year ahead. This year, this is so much more poignant as we pray for a year filled only with peace and love worldwide.
Hayley Cohen
Foremost, I wish for the hostages to be released and for peace in the region. I wish people would care about being good more than they care about being right, because there is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.
Voices of our youth
I like Rosh Hashanah because…
Cody, aged 11: I like Rosh Hashanah because I go to shul with my grandfather.
Eve, aged 11: I love Rosh Hashanah because my mom always makes the best pasta! It’s called Pasta pasta.
Adam, aged 11: I like Rosh Hashanah because I get to spend time with family that I don’t see often.
Sacha, aged 10: I like Rosh Hashanah because it’s like a big carnival.
Talia, aged 10: I like Rosh Hashanah because it’s fun.
Yair, aged 11: I love blowing the shofar at school.
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