Rabbi Rachael Klein Miller’s Rosh Hashanah Message for 2025

Dear Ariel Cunio, Alon Ohel, Eitan Horn, Avinatan Or, Elkana Bohbot, Evyatar David, Bipin Joshi, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, David Cunio, Eitan Mor, Maxim Herkin, Omri Miran, Bar Abraham Kupershtein, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Zangauker, Tamir Nimrodi, Matan Angrest, Segev Kalfon, Rom Braslavski, Yosef-Haim Ohana, Itay Chen, Eliyahu Margalit, Eitan Levi, Sahar Baruch, Joshua Luito Mollel, Tal Haimi, Arie Zalmanowicz, Ran Gvili, Dror Or, Tamir Adar, Ronen Engel, Inbar Hayman, Guy Iluz, Asaf Hamami, Lior Rudaeff, Muhammad Al-Atarash, Meny Godard, Omer Neutra, Yossi Sharabi, Daniel Oz, Daniel Perez, Uriel Baruch, Sontia Ok’Krasari, Sontisek Rintalk, Amiram Cooper, and Hadar Goldin,

As I collect my thoughts ahead of Rosh Hashanah, I want you to know that I think about you every day. We’ve never met. I’m just another Jew in the world, a Reform rabbi in Atlanta who cares deeply about Israel. My second child was born just after the war began. At his Brit Milah he became known among the people of Israel as, Oz Yisrael, the strength of Israel. In doing so I prayed that a spiritual strength be sent to the hostages, the IDF, and all who care for the well-being of the State, land, and people of Israel.

Each day, I pray for those whose lives were taken too soon that they may be returned to our homeland for a proper burial, and that their families may find comfort in having a place to feel near to them. I pray for those whose lives are suspended but whose hearts still beat that they may return to the embrace of loved ones who cry out for them every day.

We don’t know one another, but my voice cries out for you. As the New Year begins, and for as many days as it takes, I pray that you return swiftly and soon.”

Rachael Klein Miller is a rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Sandy Springs.