*Disclaimer: This article represents Sara’s opinion alone, not that of Gulliver Prep, the administration, or the staff of the Raider Voice.

Although it is not Jan. 1, Jews around the world are celebrating the start of their new year — the year 5786. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. A time of renewal, the High Holy Days offer observers a chance to reflect on the past year, seek forgiveness, and set intentions for the upcoming year. Families gather around the table for holiday meals, including apples dipped in honey, symbolizing the hope for sweetness and prosperity in the months ahead. In synagogues, the shofar, a ram’s horn, is blown, calling the community to reflect.    

Rosh Hashanah also begins the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of repentance that culminates on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Typically, these days are filled with joy and optimism, offering a reminder that the new year brings a chance for growth and a fresh start.    

But since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, when 251 hostages were taken into Gaza Strip, those days of joy feel different. This is now the second Rosh Hashanah since the attacks. The first, in 2024, was marked with grief and shock, as Jews everywhere were still processing the tragic events of that fateful day. Of the 251 hostages, 178 have been freed, 38 confirmed dead and 48, including two Americans, remain missing.

Two years later, Rosh Hashanah carries a heavier weight. It feels like a call to remember the hostages and demand their return. Prayers during the High Holy Days, once centered on personal growth and forgiveness, are now also concentrated on the release of those who remain in captivity. 

I am also reminded that antisemitism exists even in our own communities and it must be combatted. Being Jewish gives me a sense of pride, but can also carry vulnerability. The phrase Am Yisrael Chai, ‘the people of Israel live’, echoes throughout the High Holy Days, resonating so deeply, reminding me that even in times of pain, the community endures. 

This year, my prayers are not only for the hostages safe return but also for Israel’s survival and peace. As 5786 begins, my hope is clear: the hostages must be returned safely now, so we can take one step closer toward lasting peace.