On Friday night, the Jewish High Holy Days will commence with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and will conclude 10 days later with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. During this period, known as the “Days of Awe,” Jews around the world focus on the process of repentance, whereby one is obligated to acknowledge one’s sins, ask for forgiveness and resolve not to repeat the offenses. Among the sins for which we communally confess on Yom Kippur is the sin of “hard-heartedness,” or a failure to have compassion, empathy and caring for our fellow human beings.

 

To say that this has been a challenging year is a vast understatement. From a worldwide pandemic to the nationwide conversation about systemic racism and protests sparked by the brutal deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Elijah McClain, the challenges facing us as Americans may seem insurmountable. After all, since ADL’s founding over 107 years ago, we still have not been able to fulfill its mission “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all.”

 

Even when the challenge seems insurmountable, our tradition makes clear that we cannot stop trying. In these times, we remember the insightful words of Rabbi Tarfon, “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” We know that in the unending effort to achieve our mission, we can better ourselves and the world around us.

 

As we contemplate how to counter the sin of hard-heartedness in the coming year, we are thankful for your support of ADL, its mission and its work. At ADL, we recognize that it takes all of us to create a world with more compassion, empathy and caring. We ask you to join us in bringing this vision ever closer to reality.

 

May you and your family have a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.

L’Shanah Tovah,

Scott Levin
ADL Mountain States Regional Director