Newsletter Weekly Guest Statement
Danny Hochberg and Larry Lockshin
Co-Presidents UPJ
As we approach the High Holy Days, we want to wish every one of you and your families a sweet, healthy, and peaceful new year.
The UPJ shared this year’s High Holy Day Booklet by sending copies to our congregational members. This year’s edition features contributions from Progressive Jews from across Australia and New Zealand, sharing their reflections, insights, and stories with our wider community. It was written by our community, for our community. The theme of this year’s booklet is Refuah Shleimah, complete healing. We hope it offers you something to reflect on, personally and communally. We hope it opens up conversation around your own table, or simply reminds you that your journey, and the journey of the Jewish people, has many more chapters still to be written, and the promise of better days ahead. Read here
It has been an awful year for our community. We have watched antisemitism surge in ways many of us never imagined we would see in Australia and New Zealand, and we have had to sit with, and begin to make sense of, the December 14 Massacre, a devastating act of hatred and violence against our people that has left a lasting mark on our community. In the wake of this, the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social cohesion has begun the vital work of examining what happened and why, and we hold onto the hope that it will bring truth, accountability, and greater protection for our Jewish communities going forward. These months have tested us in ways words can barely capture, but they have also shown us the strength, resilience, and love that binds our community together in how we have shown up for one another, supported one another, and refused to let fear define us. We continue with community events, with celebrations even they are muted, with learning, attending our synagogues for festivals, and soon the High Holy Days. Like our people through the ages, we continue on.
It is this spirit that carries us into our upcoming Biennial: B’yachad Kadimah, Moving Forward Together. This gathering will be a chance for our community to come together in person, to share our reflections on the year that has passed, and to look ahead with purpose and unity as we continue building a Progressive Jewish community that is resilient, connected, and hopeful for the future.
We are also looking forward to our upcoming Israel Mission, running from 29 May to 6 June 2027. This will be a wonderful opportunity for members of our community to travel together, connect with Israel, and strengthen the bonds between our community and our Progressive Jewish family in Israel. More details will follow soon. We hope many of you will join us.
As we enter this new year, may it bring healing, strength, and renewal to us all.
Shana Tova U’Metuka, wishing you a good and sweet year.
With best wishes,
Danny, Larry, Lynn, The UPJ Board and team
