As we stand at the threshold of 5787, I find myself thinking about the extraordinary gift of new beginnings.
Rosh Hashanah invites us to meet whatever the year ahead may bring with courage, hope, and the opportunity to begin again. To imagine what might yet be possible. To choose hope. To cherish the blessings already present in our lives and to help bring new blessings into being.
This year, Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat arrive together as we also mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Nearly 3000 lives were lost on that fateful day, among them my friend and colleague Rabbi David B. Cohen’s brother-in-law, Andy Alameno, who was killed at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Reflecting on this 25th anniversary, David wrote:
“Twenty five years later, I find myself returning not only to what we lost that day, but to what we believed the tragedy asked of us: to confront evil without surrendering to vengeance, to examine ourselves even when we have been wronged, and to rebuild the bonds that enable us to recognize strangers as neighbors.” (Rabbi David B. Cohen, “September 11: 25 Years On, and the Staircase That No Longer Existed,” Substack, September 9, 2026, In memory of Andy Alameno, of blessed memory.)
David’s poignant words resonated so deeply with me on this 25th anniversary that I am including them as part of my New Year’s prayer this year:
May we have the courage to confront what is wrong without allowing hatred to diminish our own humanity.
May we have the humility to examine ourselves, even when it would be easier to look only at the failings of others.
May we rebuild the bonds that connect us to one another, so that strangers might once again become neighbors.
May this New Year be bright with promise and filled with hope. May it bring us the blessings of health and strength, joy and contentment, love and laughter, compassion and courage.
Above all, may 5787 be a year of peace: peace in our hearts and in our homes, peace in our communities, peace for Israel and throughout our world.
May we enter this New Year ready to receive its blessings and determined to help bring those blessings into being for all humankind.
Shana Tova u’Metukah – שנה טובה ומתוקה.
Wishing you a good and sweet 5787!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel