10 September, 2026
© Marvin S. Kramer

Shalom all,

As the sound of the shofar rises in the morning air,
calling your heart to awaken,
may you hear within its ancient cry
a promise never forsaken.

For this is the Feast of Trumpets –
a holy pause, a sacred start,
when heaven calls you to remember,
to turn again, but with all your heart.

As the shofar calls us higher,
may we listen to its cry;
may it awaken faith within us,
and give us strength to do what’s right.

May your heart be filled with compassion,
may your faith be steadfast and true;
may your hands bring comfort to the hurting,
and may mercy flow through all you do.

May you have wisdom to rise above anger,
may you speak the truth with love;
may you choose the path of courage,
and trust in the grace from above.

May God heal you and keep you safe,
may His love and grace be near;
may He lift the gloom that shadows you,
and strengthen you throughout the year.

May your family be united in love,
may you experience its joy in your life;
may the bonds that hold you all together
prove stronger than division and strife.

May those who seek to harm you
learn that hatred cannot have the final word;
may you answer threats with wisdom,
and let righteousness be heard.

And when the shofar’s final sound
hangs trembling in the air,
remember: you are not powerless.
You can answer its call with prayer.

So may this Rosh Hashanah
bring renewal to your soul,
may God guard you and guide you,
and make what is broken whole.

May this be a year of healing,
a year of courage, a year of peace,
a year in which swords are turned to plowshares,
and the sound of the shofar heralds release.

Shanah Tovah u’Metukah.

May you be strengthened to pray fervently,
may you be generous enough to give,
may you be humble enough to listen,
may you be bold enough to forgive,
and may you be courageous enough to build unity
when others would choose division.

And when the world asks you what hope looks like,
may your life be part of the answer:

Bless, be blessed, and be a blessing.

© Marvin S. Kramer