Despite the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Ida and the continued rise of COVID-19 cases, US President Joe Biden still took time to honor Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish holiday celebrating the New Year.
In a press statement, Biden called on the people to take time to use the Holy Days to reflect on the past year.
“It is a time to undertake an inventory of the soul, a cheshbon hanefesh, and to ask of ourselves and of each other questions that go beyond our own individual faiths: Who do I want to be? What type of nation do we want to forge? What type of world do we want to create?,” Biden said.
Given the recent events that occurred in the US this year, Biden said this year is “a reminder of our infinite capacity to transform our lives and begin anew.
Biden said it is time for us to with the Divine and our fellow human beings in the ongoing work of creation and to rebuild our communities through empathy, acts of kindness, and compassion.
To seek repentance, or teshuva, when we have fallen short of our values.
He said more work needs to be done to combat COVID-19, boost the US economy, fight antisemitism and reaffirm American ties with Israel.
“May the year 5782 be a year of health, healing, and progress. And may we all be inscribed in the Book of Life,” he said.
“Shanah Tovah U’Metukah. May it be a sweet, healthy, and happy new year,” he added.
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