In Jewish tradition, the shofar is blown as a call to action and spiritual renewal at the start of our New Year, Rosh Hashanah. The ancient sound beckons us to remember where we’ve been, reflect on where we want to go and renew our commitment to ourselves and each other. It is a reminder, even in troubling times, to seek joy and hope and to find moments to celebrate.

After what has been an incredibly difficult year for the Jewish people here in Pittsburgh and around the world, we hear the sound of the shofar and find that we must dig deep to find the sweetness and promise of a new year. However, as I reflect on this past year, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude.

For nearly six years, people from Pittsburgh, across the country, and around the world have offered their support, confidence, and kindness to the Tree of Life community as we pick up the pieces of our broken world and rebuild it as we believe it can be. Our community – Jewish and not – continues to support each other with unwavering strength and devotion, and to seek joy and opportunities to celebrate one another even amid challenging times.

In June, called in by the sound of the shofar, you celebrated with us as we broke ground on a new chapter for The Tree of Life. Your support enabled us to launch our first traveling exhibition and take the story of The Tree of Life to Capitol Hill and to the Aspen Ideas Festival. We launched our new website and, just last week, we held our first public program featuring a member of Congress and leading experts on antisemitism and identity-based hate.

As we enter the new year, we must carry this momentum forward and continue to build, grow, and support each other in ways that will shape a brighter future for our community.

The sound of the shofar brings us together, awakening us to what is possible when we work together to heal the world. This Rosh Hashanah, remember the strength of community and the power of working together.

We wish you a sweet new year. May it be filled with joy and peace on our journey to rebuild the world as we believe it can be.

Shana Tovah,

Carole Zawatsky
CEO, The Tree of Life