Steve and Eydie Koonin’s Rosh Hashanah Message for 2025

As we welcome 5786, our hearts are full and grateful for the blessing within our own family and hopeful for healing and peace for our extended Jewish family around the world.

This year is especially meaningful for us, as our family continues to grow. Two new grandsons will be joining us soon, one in NY and one in Atlanta. These future additions will certainly bring even more joy (and yes, a bit more chaos). Watching our grandchildren discover the world reminds us of the very essence of Rosh Hashanah; the gift of renewal, the sweetness of fresh beginnings, and the promise of a future we must all work together to protect and nurture.

It is impossible to look into the eyes of grandchildren and not think of the children and families in Israel. They long for safety, for peace and for the return of their loved ones. To the families of the hostages still in Gaza, we say “your pain is our pain.” You are not forgotten. May you soon know the embrace of reunion and may your suffering give way to healing.

To our community, we offer this encouragement, let us continue to draw strength from one another. In difficult times, it’s easy to feel powerless, but small acts of kindness and generosity can have a ripple effect in ways we may never fully see. Just as we teach our grandchildren that every choice matters, we too must live by that truth. We choose compassion over indifference, hope over despair, and connection over division.

This year at Rosh Hashanah may we hold tight to the sweetness of life’s blessings and channel that love into building a more peaceful and caring world.

Eydie Koonin is a realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty and Steve Koonin is the CEO of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena.