2 October 2016. It’s Rosh Hashanah… The Start of the High Holy Days

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Today is the start of Rosh Hashanah (commonly called “Jewish New Year”)… the beginning of the High Holy Days that end with Yom Kippur (that’s 11/12 October this year). Except for Pesach (Passover), this is the holiest time of the Jewish liturgical year… Chanukah doesn’t even come close. If your Jewish friends or coworkers need a hand during this period, give it to them! It’s a hectic time of year for them. Do whatever good that you can do for them with a good heart, expecting nothing in return (“Yes, I WILL have some of the honey cake and Carmel wine… thank you, very much!”). We’re Christians; that’s what we do.

One last thing… remember the words of a humble Greek country pappas during the German occupation in World War II… “Our Lord Christ lived and died a believing Jew”. We should have the same attitude. Respect others and their faiths… full stop. That IS our duty as Christians. If we fail to honour that, we’re no Christians, and I’m not afraid to say so. I confide that I’m not alone in thinking that way…

BMD

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Happy Jewish New Year 5775… Tizku Leshanim Rabbot! Ne’imot VeTovot!

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Tizku Leshanim Rabbot (“may you merit many years”), is the formal Sephardi greeting, to which one answers, Ne’imot VeTovot (“pleasant and good ones”). That’s a good place to start. To all of my friends keeping the holiday… my good wishes… MANY YEARS! Keep the faith…

BMD

22 September 2014. Give Your Jewish Friends a Hand… the High Holies are on the Way!

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On Wednesday, 24 September, at sundown, Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) begins the High Holy Days… it ends at sundown Friday, 26 September. This begins the holiest time of the Jewish Year, until Yom Kippur (this year, 2-3 October). It’s as important for Jews as Holy Week and Easter are for us (Passover‘s big too… I’m not forgetting it). This means that your Jewish friends are rushing around getting ready for the holiday. Give ’em a hand! Watch the kids… help out with the shopping or cooking… just be there for them in this frazzled time. Hey, you might get to join the celebration and share in the Lekach and Gefilte Fish (them be Good Jewish Eats)…

Above all… be true friends at this time… it’s the best gift that you can give!

BMD

Putin Wished Success to Russian Jews on the Occasion of Rosh Hashanah

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President Vladimir Putin greeted Russian Jews on Rosh Hashanah, the start of the New Year (1 Tishrei 5774 on the Jewish calendar). His message, posted on Wednesday on the Kremlin website, said that this holiday season allows people to sum ​​up the past year and make plans for the future, and to take a care about the purity of their intentions and actions, stating, ”From time immemorial, outstanding qualities such as mutual respect and tolerance, and compassion for those who needed help and support were inherent in Russian Jewry. Today, they preserve these traditions with devotion, enriching them with new concepts and good deeds”. In his opinion, Russian Jewish organisations make a significant contribution in improving the spiritual, moral, and patriotic education of youth, the revival of family values, and they implement important social, educational, and cultural projects, noting, “Of course, their work is very important in maintaining multicultural harmony and civil accord in our society”. President Putin wished all Jews a “happy and successful New Year”.

4 September 2013

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=52542