To our dear Perth Jewish Community,

As we approach Rosh Hashana, we thank Hashem for the past year and look forward to the slightly brighter news that the global pandemic appears to be ending. We pray that this be the case and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those effected across the globe from all manner of loss and harm this past year.
The military conflict in Israel earlier in the year was a frightening reminder, once again that despite the brave and admirable efforts of the governments of Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco who made massive strides towards a lasting peace in the Middle East, there are still those who wish to undermine that peace with unprovoked attacks against Israel. This, together with the horrific upsurge of anti-Semitism worldwide, has reminded us of the need for us as Jews to unite and keep faith with all that we know to be true.

Our greeting of “Shana Tova”, often mistranslated as “Happy New Year”, literally means, “A good year”. The word ‘Shana’, ‘year’ perhaps takes it roots in the verb ‘le’shanot’, to change. Our job as Jews at this time of year is to consider what changes we may need to make to set us up for success in the coming year.

May the coming year be one of change that is ‘tov’, good. Change that is positive, effective and meaningful for ourselves, for our community and for the world.

May the coming year be peaceful for the world, harmonious for society, bonding for our communities, loving for our families, connected to our God and true to ourselves.
May this new year 5783, be one of health, strength and happiness for all.

Let each and every one of us move forward to action those things that need change, improvement or development in our own family, community, country and in this beautiful but sometimes fragile world.
Wishing a Shana Tova to the President, Board, Governors, Trustees, Principal, Staff, Parents and Students of Carmel School and to the entire Jewish Community of Perth and Am Yisrael.

Kativa ve’chatima tova!

Shana Tova!

Simon Lawrence

Director of Jewish Studies