As we gather to mark the new year, we are honored to pass along this greeting from Barack Obama to Jewish families across America:

“As Jews around the world celebrate Rosh Hashanah, I want to send my best wishes for a happy, healthy, and sweet new year. This marks not just a time for rejoicing, but for reflecting on the hopes the new year brings, and on our responsibilities to see them fulfilled. As families come together to mark the High Holy Days, upholding a proud Jewish tradition, let us all rededicate ourselves to the task of repairing this world for our children and grandchildren, and to working to achieve peace and security for Israel. On behalf of all of the Obamas and Bidens, Shana Tovah.”

We’ve recorded a video with prominent Jewish leaders who have worked with Barack over the years. They speak about his steadfast support of Israel, his bold stance against an increasingly aggressive Iran, and why he is ready to bring the change we need.

Please join us in spreading new year’s greetings and letting others know about the change you want to see in 5769. Watch the video and share it with a Shana Tovah message to your friends and family.

Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection and celebration. It also presents an opportunity for generations to turn the page on the year that has passed and share hopes for the future.

There has never been a more important time to share our hope for change with the ones we hold dear. Many in our community long for a change in direction, with new leadership that reflects our values.

As Barack noted on a conference call with more than 900 American rabbis last week, the sounding of the shofar in our synagogues is a “call to action,” which should “rouse this nation out of its slumber and to compel us to confront our challenges and ensure a better path.”

Please share this video today, along with special Shana Tovah messages to your friends and loved ones. We especially encourage children and young people to send messages to their parents and grandparents.

To send a regular Shana Tovah greeting, click here:

http://my.barackobama.com/JFOvideo

To send a special Shana Tovah from a child or young person, click here:

http://my.barackobama.com/JFOvideokids

Shana Tovah U’Metukah,

Dan Shapiro
Senior Policy Adviser and Jewish Outreach Coordinator
Obama for America

Eric Lynn
Jewish Community Liaison and Middle East Policy Adviser
Obama for America

Download it directly from the Obama Web site at:

http://www.barackobama.com/static/Flyers/Issue_Flyers/israel.pdf

Here’s the text of the flyer:

BARACK OBAMA ON ISRAEL

BARACK OBAMA’S PLAN TO STRENGTHEN THE U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONSHIP

Barack Obama has established a strong record as a true friend of Israel, stalwart defender of Israel’s security, and an advocate of strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship. He believes that Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state should never be challenged.

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On September 23, Joe Biden spoke at the annual National Jewish Democratic Council conference.  Video:

“I’ve spent 35 years in my career dealing with issues related to Israel. My support for Israel begins in my stomach, goes to my heart and ends up in my head. And I promise you, I guarantee you, I guarantee you. I would not have joined Barack Obama’s ticket as vice president were I in any doubt, even the slightest doubt, that he shares the same commitment to Israel that I share. I guarantee it. It’s that simple. That is a fact.”

I strongly condemn President Ahmadinejad’s outrageous remarks at the United Nations, and am disappointed that he had a platform to air his hateful and anti-Semitic views. The threat from Iran’s nuclear program is grave. Now is the time for Americans to unite on behalf of the strong sanctions that are needed to increase pressure on the Iranian regime.

Once again, I call upon Senator McCain to join me in supporting a bipartisan bill to increase pressure on the Iranian regime by allowing states and private companies to divest from companies doing business in Iran. The security of our ally Israel is too important to play partisan politics, and it is deeply disappointing that Senator McCain and a few of his allies in Congress feel otherwise.

Dear Friends,On Wednesday, September 17, Senator Barack Obama participated in a historic national conference call with over 900 Rabbis representing all the major denominations in American Jewish life. He extended to the Rabbis his personal New Year’s greetings as they prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with their communities later this month. Never before have so many of America’s Rabbis come together to hear a major Presidential nominee reflect on his relationship with the Jewish community and share his vision for a better future.Senator Obama discussed the pressing issues at stake – for both Jewish Americans and all Americans – in the upcoming election. He asked that, as we think about the coming New Year, we also reflect upon our common vision for America’s renewed promise.

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Dear Friends,

As someone who has spent his entire life working on causes important to us in the Jewish community, both in Florida and nationwide, I am honored that my close friend of the last twenty years, Senator Joe Biden, is joining Senator Obama on the Democratic ticket. He will make an excellent Vice President and a perfect partner to help bring about the change we need in this country. Senator Biden has a strong record of support for Israel in the U.S. Senate for almost 36 years, and he has received much acclaim and many honors for his steadfast support of US-Israel relationship and for his consistent efforts to strengthen the security interests of both nations in the Middle East.

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Dear Friends,

 

In late July, Senator Obama traveled to Israel to meet with Israel’s leaders, to express his unequivocal commitment to Israel’s security and to strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship. In his meetings with Israeli officials, Senator Obama reaffirmed his longstanding belief that Israel’s security is “sacrosanct,” and reiterated his commitment to the steadfast relationship between the United States and Israel. Senator Obama traveled to Sderot to express his support and deep concern for the innocent victims of terror perpetrated by Hamas. He met with Palestinian leaders in Ramallah and received an update on the progress of their ongoing talks, held a range of discussions with Israeli officials, and he offered support for their shared vision of achieving a secure peace.

 

As Senator Obama’s Middle East Policy Advisors, we were honored to accompany him on his trip, and we are eager to share with you a recap of his historic visit.

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You might think that Jewish Republicans are firmly behind John McCain, but that’s hardly the whole story. Many Jewish Republicans and independents who voted for Bush in 2004, including some Jews for Obama members, are deeply concerned about the mismanagement of U.S. foreign and domestic policy under the Bush administration and are enthusiastic supporters of Obama’s proposals for getting the country back on track. Jews for Obama has collected several important examples for you to share with Republican and independent friends and family members who would appreciate hearing from like-minded Americans why they should consider supporting Barack Obama.

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Barack Obama’s tremendous warmth toward Israel and his energy and seriousness about working with the parties to find a solution to the conflict were clearly visible in the intense coverage of his recent visit!

Below, Jews for Obama brings you a selection of the media coverage of Obama’s trip, including video from infolive.tv, a good source of Israeli news in English.

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His speech and transcript are on our Endorsements site.