Rosh Hashanah 2026: The Jewish people must answer the shofar’s call to unity – opinion

As Rosh Hashanah 5787 (2026) approaches, the author reflects on the "Unetaneh Tokef" prayer, emphasizing that while it highlights life's uncertainties, it also offers the opportunity for "U'teshuvah, u'tefillah, u'tzedakah" (repentance, prayer, and charity) to secure another year of life. The shofar's three distinct sounds—Tekiah, Shevarim, and Teruah—symbolize a collective call to unity. This year, despite rising antisemitism and perceived isolation, the Jewish community has demonstrated remarkable solidarity, with examples from Montreal, Washington, and the North American Federation system supporting Israel. The author, chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, stresses that unity is not the absence of disagreement but the recognition that shared bonds outweigh differences, urging the Jewish people to respond to the shofar's call as "one person with one heart."