“May the outgoing year and its curses come to an end, and may the new year and its blessings begin.” We recite these words each year as we welcome Rosh Hashanah, but this year, their meaning feels especially profound.
This past year has been defined by unimaginable pain, a deep and continuous pain since the Hamas’s horrific October 7th terror attack on Israel. The loss of so many precious lives, the anguish of our brothers and sisters still held in captivity in Gaza, and the ongoing fight for our survival weigh heavily on us. We stand at the dawn of a new year while the dust has not yet settled from the earth-shattering moment that has changed the world as we knew it.
Yet even in the face of these painful curses, it is important to also acknowledge the blessings. We are fortunate to live in a time when the Jewish people have reclaimed their sovereignty in the land of Israel—a dream generations of our ancestors longed for. Today, we have the ability to defend ourselves, the power to control our destiny. October 7th was a stark reminder that evil still exists and that there are those who continue to seek our destruction. But we are not powerless.
Our people’s strength and resilience—our superpower—has shone brightly in this difficult year. Heroism is embedded in our history, from biblical times to the modern State of Israel. Our history is filled with ordinary men and women rising to extraordinary challenges, and this past year has been a shining example of that. On October 7th and in the war since then, Israelis from all walks of life have rushed to help—soldiers, civilians, security forces, and volunteers. They rushed not from, but toward the danger, risking their lives to save others, demonstrating the unshakable will and commitment to one another that has defined our people for millennia.
Beyond Israel’s borders, the Jewish people’s support has been remarkable. Here in our southeastern region and across the globe, our brothers and sisters have stood with us, embodying the age-old value of communal responsibility, that all Jews are responsible for one another. This support has strengthened us, proving that Israel’s strength comes not only from within, but also from the unique bond with our Jewish brothers and sisters in the diaspora. Though we may differ in location, views, or affiliations, our shared identity unites us.
The late Israeli poet Haim Gouri was known to respond to the question, “How are you?” with a simple yet profound statement: “I am as my people are.” Many of us have struggled with that question this year. How can we say we are fine when the blood of our brothers and sisters cries out from the earth? When our brother and sisters are crying out from the dark tunnels in Gaza? When our beautiful children are paying with their lives in the defense of our future? But at the same time, how can we honor their memory if we do not live fully, appreciating the blessings of our peoplehood and our sovereign nation?
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, I would like to ask each of you- in the face of the rampant antisemitism, hold your heads high, stand tall with Jewish pride. Do not let the voices of hate confuse you. The fact that Israel must defend itself from those who seek its destruction does not mean that we are in the wrong. When faced with an enemy that seeks our annihilation, we have two choices: fight or be slaughtered. Our choice is clear and we must not apologize for doing what any sovereign nation would do- defending our people and our homeland.
The declared goal of the Iranian regime and its terror proxies is not political, it is genocidal. And their fanatical agenda extends far beyond Israel and the Jewish people. While the hate filled rhetoric in the international arena may be loud, we have truth on our side. Our path is clear, grounded in the same morals and values that have guided us for millennia. We will fight and overcome this evil, because we have no other choice. And when the time comes, when we face leaders brave enough to choose the path pf peace- as others in the region have done- we will pursue every avenue to achieve peace, for the sake of all our children.
May the coming year bring the long-awaited return of all of the hostages. May it be a year of renewal, healing and rebuilding. And may we find the strength to enjoy the sweet blessings that surround us.
L’Shana Tova U’Metukah.
Anat Sultan-Dadon assumed her role as Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States in 2019.
In her current role in Atlanta, the Consul General is responsible for advancing the bilateral relations between Israel and seven southeastern states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Sultan-Dadon is married to Yaron and they are the proud parents of three girls.
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