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Stuart Katz

A New Year of Resilience and Renewal: Facing the Future Together

As we stand at the threshold of Rosh Hashanah, we carry with us the memory of a year marked by profound challenges. This past year has tested us with moments of pain and uncertainty that sometimes felt overwhelming. And yet, we have also seen courage, resilience, and unity emerge from the darkness. As we prepare for the coming year, we look ahead with hope and strength, ready to embrace renewal.

Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection, but it’s also a time of profound spiritual opportunity. On this day, Hashem inscribes our destiny for the coming year and reveals the mission we are meant to fulfill. The year behind us was challenging, but as we step into the new one, we believe we are not alone. Hashem is guiding us; we are equipped to face the future together.

Renewing Our Hope

Though the year has been filled with challenges, we approach Rosh Hashanah with hope. Since Shabbat Nachamu, the comforting words of Yeshayahu have accompanied us, reminding us that no matter how dark the world may seem, Hashem has not forsaken it. נחמו נחמו עמי—“Comfort, comfort My people”—these words remind us that healing is possible and that redemption is still on the horizon.

Our faith assures us that the brokenness we see around us will one day be transformed. We believe in a future where peace, justice, and the knowledge of Hashem fill the earth. This vision gives us the strength to continue praying for a world where the Jewish people are honored and respected and where the tension in Israel is replaced by שמחה לארצך וששון לעירך. This hope sustains us as we stand together on Rosh Hashanah, praying for ourselves and the world.

Strength Through Resilience

While hope is crucial, we also know that redemption is rarely smooth. The Torah warns us in the תוכחה—the section on curses and rebukes—that suffering often precedes salvation. This past year has given us a stark reminder of that truth. We have faced personal and collective hardship, which shook us to our core. But these struggles have also revealed our inner strength and resilience.

Rosh Hashanah reminds us that redemption requires action. It calls us to step forward with determination, ready to confront the coming year’s challenges. This means engaging in the world with compassion, courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice. The work of תיקון עולם—repairing the world—cannot be done from the sidelines. It requires each of us to stand up and contribute however we can.

We also recognize that we do not face these challenges alone. As we confront hardship, we lean on each other, drawing strength from our community and our shared mission. Together, we have the power to create change, to uplift one another, and to bring healing to a world in need.

One People, One Family

One of the most potent aspects of Rosh Hashanah is the reminder that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. We are not just individuals but members of עם ישראל, the Jewish people—a family bound together by an unbreakable covenant. This idea has its roots in the story of our אבות, the forefathers.

Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov each faced their own unique trials, but it was יעקב who merited that all his children would remain part of the Jewish people. From him, we inherit the principle that כל ישראל ערבים זה בזה—all of Israel is responsible for one another. This concept forms the bedrock of our identity. Even when we stumble, ישראל אף על פי שחטא ישראל הוא—a Jew, even when they sin, remains a Jew. This means that no matter our individual failings, we are part of a collective whole, a family that supports and uplifts one another.

On Rosh Hashanah, we stand before אלוקי יעקב, the God of Yaakov, who never gave up on any of his children. Hashem, too, does not abandon us, even when we fall short. He sees the potential for goodness within each of us and recognizes the deep bonds that connect us to one another and to Him. As a people, we are strong—not because we are perfect, but because we are united.

Facing the Future Together

As we enter the new year, we do so as one family, filled with hope and determination. The past year has shown us that the road ahead will not always be easy, but it has also shown us that we can face whatever comes. Together, we will rise to meet the challenges ahead, guided by our faith and strengthened by our unity.

We pray that this Rosh Hashanah brings healing to a world needing repair. May the coming year be one of resilience, peace, and renewal. כתיבה וחתימה טובה—may we all be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year.

As we move forward, may we always remember that we face the future not as individuals but as part of a collective bound by shared history, purpose, and faith. Together, we will face whatever comes with hope in our hearts and determination in our steps.

About the Author
Stuart Katz, PsyD, MPH, MBA, is a co-founder of the Nafshenu Alenu mental health educational initiative, launched in 2022. With his extensive academic background, including a doctorate in psychology, a master's in public health, and an MBA, Stuart brings a unique, multidisciplinary perspective to his work in mental health advocacy. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors at McLean Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and holds several leadership roles, including Chairman of the Board of OGEN – Advancement of Mental Health Awareness in Israel and Mental Health First Aid Israel. Stuart is also a key partner in the "Deconstructing Stigma" campaign in Israel. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Religious Conference Management Association and has provided counseling to over 7,000 individuals and families in crisis worldwide.