Diana Cole’s Rosh Hashanah Message for 2026

Being Jewish is extremely important to me. It is not only a religion, but a part of my identity and a connection to my family, my ancestors, and generations of Jews who came before me.
When my children were younger, I made a point of bringing them to High Holiday services, Shabbat services, and Hebrew School — although I will admit there were plenty of fights along the way! At the time, I sometimes wondered if they understood why these traditions were so important. Looking back, I realize that simply showing up was one of the most meaningful things I could do for them. I wanted them to grow up knowing that being Jewish was something to be proud of and something worth carrying forward.
The High Holidays are especially meaningful because they give us an opportunity to slow down and reflect. Rosh Hashanah reminds us to look at the year ahead with hope and intention, while Yom Kippur gives us the opportunity to reflect on our actions, ask forgiveness, and think about how we can do better. These traditions teach values that go beyond religion — responsibility, compassion, forgiveness, community, and the importance of helping others.
Being Jewish in our current world feels particularly important. Our history has taught us that Jewish traditions and identity cannot be taken for granted. For generations, Jews have faced tremendous challenges and have had to work hard to preserve our faith, culture, traditions, and communities. The fact that we are still here, celebrating our holidays and passing these traditions to our children, is something I do not take lightly.
I believe the best way to impart our traditions to the next generation is not simply to tell them that Judaism is important, but to live it with them. Take them to services. Celebrate Shabbat. Tell them family stories. Teach them about our history. Let them ask questions, even the difficult ones. Most importantly, help them understand that Judaism is not just about what we do, but about who we are and how we treat others.
I hope my children will carry that connection forward and, someday, share it with their own children. In that way, the traditions and values that have survived for generations can continue for generations to come.

Diana Cole is the Community Coordinator for Atlanta Jewish Times.