David Ostrowsky's Rosh Hashanah Message for 2024

When reflecting on how Rosh Hashanah has evolved over the past century for my family and community, I can’t help but think about world history. How did my ancestors celebrate the holiday when they were fairly new immigrants to America in the 1920s? A couple decades later, when the horrors of the Holocaust were unfolding in Europe, how did affairs overseas impact holiday traditions stateside? Truthfully, I don’t have the answers. But this very question has inspired me to do some research. I want to learn more about how my relatives from past generations upheld traditions through such great volatility.

From a personal standpoint, as I look to the future of Rosh Hashanah, I consider two overarching developments. One, ever since the pandemic, it is apparent that — for better or worse — there will be an option to stream services rather than attending in-person. I believe this evolution will forever change the dynamic of the holiday. Secondly, Rosh Hashanah promises to invariably fall on or around Oct. 7, a date that will of course live in infamy. For some people at least, the holiday will never be the same as it will have such an association.

Nevertheless, I feel truly blessed to be able to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with family next month and I wish all our readers a wonderful holiday and all great things in the new year.

David Ostrowsky serves as the sportswriter for the Atlanta Jewish Times.