Ronit Franco-Pinsky’s Rosh Hashanah Message for 2026

As the High Holidays approach, I find myself reflecting deeply on what it means to be Jewish today — and what it means to be an Israeli living in a post-Oct. 7 world. For me, life is now forever divided into two distinct chapters: before that day, and after.
Being an Israeli and Jewish after Oct. 7, 2023, represents a profound shift in identity, security, and daily life. Being Jewish today in the world and the U.S. means carrying forward an ethnicity that has survived centuries of displacement, persecution, and existential threats. The rise of antisemitism means that once again our temples and synagogues will be heavily guarded and the fear of attacks is always present.
The hypocrisy that comes with the acceptance that Israelis in the world can be targeted at any moment without severe consequences to the attacker is an ongoing struggle. Israel is continually being blamed for simply protecting herself and her citizens, while the terror organizations are getting a free pass from the radical, extreme voices in the U.S. and the world. The profound moral distortion when Israel’s primary duty — protecting its citizens from rockets, massacres, and terror — is treated with outrage while the terror groups that initiated the violence operate out of civilian areas, and explicitly target innocents are framed through a lens of moral equivalence. It’s so absurd that it’s hard to comprehend.
The Jewish New Year is a time for new beginnings and I’m looking forward to spending it this year B”H (B’ezrat Hashem) with my family and loved ones in my homeland in Israel surrounded by my parents, siblings, nephews, and nieces. It’s quite an emotional time for me, as my family and friends went through three challenging years and this year is the first time that all our hostages are back, and they can finally celebrate the holiday in their homes vs. tunnels.
Rosh Hashanah could be the start of healing for us as a nation — not fear anymore, but active pride. We must lead with joy, warmth, and kindness to one another. Whether in Israel or in the Diaspora, by practicing compassion and empathy we can try to repair the world — what we call Tikkun Olam.
Holiday dinners are my favorite time of the year, and I can’t wait for the freshly baked goods, delicious holiday food, and plenty of honey to help sweeten the bitterness a bit. Being in Israel at that time is so special. The stores and bakeries offer a variety of honey and apple cakes, gifts for the family, and more. It is so festive and fun. Wishing Shanah Tovah to all of our community!

Ronit Franco-Pinsky is Office Manager for Atlanta Jewish Times.