In just a few days, the Jewish community will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and 10 days later will commemorate 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.

Since ADL’s founding over 109 years ago, fulfilling the mission “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all” has remained challenging. Even when attacks on our democracy, a seemingly never-ending global pandemic, and bias and bigotry make the challenge seem insurmountable, our tradition makes clear that we cannot stop trying. In the words of the Talmudic sage Rabbi Tarfon, “You are not expected to complete the task, but neither are you free to avoid it.”  In these trying times, our unending effort to achieve ADL’s timeless mission is more important now than ever before.

As we work to make the world a better place during this High Holy Day season,  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 sweet, happy, and – most of all – healthy New Year.

L’Shanah Tovah from all of us at ADL Mountain States