Chana Shapiro’s Rosh Hashanah Message for 2025

Rosh Hashanah: A Holy Day’s Challenge

It’s often said that we Jews like to ask questions. That’s one of the main things I appreciate about Rosh Hashanah, where we ask the big question of G-d and subsequently of ourselves. Will we be given another year of life? And if we are blessed with more time, will we waste it? Will we use our hours to make ourselves, our families, our schools, our synagogues, and our institutions stronger, more caring, and wiser? The traditional Rosh Hashanah prayers plead for more time, and if granted, each of us will have to figure out how we want to use it.

We’re not all affluent, and we’re not all movers and shakers; however, we can give tzedakah and perform acts of kindness: we’re powerful in an existential way. We can spend more time volunteering. We can learn new things and get to know people who are different from us. We can share our talents and skills with others. We can visit people who are housebound or hospitalized. We can be knowledgeable advocates and workers for Israel.

I’m praying that those who spend this new year with purpose will be granted yet another year in which to act with menchlekeit and perform mitzvot. Along with G-d, our children are watching how we answer the big question.

Our family wishes your family a healthy and sweet New Year.

Chana Shapiro is a freelance writer for Atlanta Jewish Times.