Rosh Hashanah 2005-5766
September 29, 2005

President Moshe Katsav

On these days on the eve of the Jewish New Year, days of soul searching and fasting, prayer and tzedakah, we need to recommit ourselves to maintaining the values of Judaism and to the strengthening of Jewish sovereignty.

In the past years, the State of Israel has faced difficult and fateful decisions. In the last twelve years we have gone a long, historic way towards the Palestinians. We have made difficult and painful decisions. We have succeeded - despite pain, sorrow and crisis; despite anger, disappointment and frustration from our neighbors, we have succeeded in keeping our unity, our strength, our faith and determination.

I commend the expressions of solidarity of the Jewish communities throughout the world with the people of Israel, which have strengthened the mutual bonds between us.

Unfortunately, anti-Semitism has increased throughout Europe, despite the position taken by European leaders. The State of Israel and the Jewish people must cooperate with the governments and relevant authorities to struggle jointly against anti-Semitism which harms as well universal human values and the values of democracy. The enlightened countries must act with determination against anti-Semitism by means of legislation, enforcement, education and public opinion.

The 21st century presents the Jewish people with challenges, unique to our generation. We need to aim at deepening the ties between the Jews of Israel and those of the Diaspora and to pay attention to the needs of all the Jewish communities in the Diaspora. We need to act to maintain Jewish culture, to ensure Jewish education for the young generation and to battle assimilation. We must ensure Jewish continuity. We must find efficient ways to draw closer and strengthen the bond and ties of the Jews of the world to the values of Judaism, to Jewish organizations and to the Jewish state.

On behalf of the people of Israel, I wish to convey to you and your families blessings for a happy New Year, a year of brotherhood and unity, a year of peace and security, a year in which we will maintain our national strength.

Yours sincerely,
Moshe Katsav

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

Dear Friends,

As we stand at the dawn of a New Year, I send you my best wishes for a happy New Year from Jerusalem, the eternal and united capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

The Jewish people have a long and unique history. We have overcome long periods of persecution and suffering, while at the same time achieving many magnificent and important accomplishments - the modern and vibrant State of Israel being the greatest of those.

In its short history, the State of Israel has faced many challenges. Through the good times and the bad, our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora have always stood beside us and sustained us. My Government firmly believes in strengthening the ties between the Diaspora and the State of Israel, and is working to achieve that goal. We consider your support and commitment to be an invaluable asset in our efforts to safeguard Israel's vital interests.

The past few months have not been easy for the citizens of Israel. However, I believe that we will emerge from this experience united, and that Israel's identity as a Jewish and democratic state will be strengthened.

Together with you, we look forward with hope and optimism.

I wish us all a New Year of peace and quiet, health, prosperity and happiness. I hope that you will celebrate the coming year with us here in Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people.

Shana Tova, and hatima tova.
Ariel Sharon

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom

Rosh Hashanah is a time when we, as a community, celebrate the New Year, and also reflect on the status of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

Over this past year, dramatic events have taken place in our region. In the absence of a genuine partner for peace, Israel initiated a painful but necessary process of disengagement from the Palestinians. This significant step has received recognition by the entire international community, and has facilitated open and transparent contacts with the Arab and Moslem world. It is our hope that this step will create new opportunities for a better future in the entire region, and also facilitate a return to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. But for this to happen the Palestinians must understand the potential and seize the opportunity. Terror against the citizens of Israel must end, and concrete steps taken, to ensure that it is the narrative of dialogue and responsible governance that prevails over that of terror and hatred.

As we meet these challenges, the tremendous support extended to Israel by the Jewish communities around the globe empowers Israel and enables us to take bold steps towards a better future.

We commend the Jewish communities around the globe for their dedication to the preservation of Jewish identity and for their support of our country. In so doing, you ensure the spiritual and physical survival of world Jewry. The State of Israel stands with the Jewish communities, joyful in the accomplishments and full of resolve in meeting the challenges which face us.

The renewed rise of Anti-Semitism is such a challenge that should be met head on. Anti-Semitism is on the rise in the heart of Europe and elsewhere around the globe, and acts of Anti-Semitism again endanger the freedom of the Jewish communities. Israel will face any manifestation of this form of hatred, and combat it. Israel together with like-minded countries is, for the first time in history, promoting a resolution of Holocaust Remembrance in the General Assembly of the United Nations. This resolution has been tabled and will be debated in the coming weeks.

A key element in facing external threats is, first and foremost, consolidating our internal strength and unity. Ensuring Jewish education at all ages, preserving the Jewish heritage and traditions and maintaining strong links with Israel are key elements in this mission. The stronger these elements are, the stronger we are as a people and as a nation. We must all do our utmost to strengthen the bond between Diaspora Jewry and the largest Jewish center in the world, the State of Israel. As part of this, in receiving the New Jewish year, we should also pledge to increase our contacts by mutual visits and combined programs.

At the turn of the year of 5766, Israel is strong and prosperous. We are full of hope. We draw our optimism and spiritual strength from our confidence in your support.

In the prayers of Rosh Hashanah we pray for the strengthening of Israel, for Jewish unity and for the spiritual and physical preservation of us as individuals and as a nation.

May all the prayers of the Jewish communities around the world come true, on the individual and the national level, and may the next year be a year of health, true peace and accomplishment for us all.

With the blessing of a happy and sweet New Year,
Silvan Shalom