ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Just a day before the start of Rosh Hashanah, Tuesday, Iran fired about 2,000 ballistic missiles in retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah leader and Hamas political leader. The Israeli Prime Minister has now promised that Iran will “pay” for the attacks.
In St. Charles, Rabbi Landa opened his home for a special Rosh Hashanah celebration, focusing on the traditions and symbolism of the holiday.
Landa started the Jewish New Year celebration with prayers, a cup of wine and apples and honey to symbolize hope for a good year. He expected more than 150 people to gather over the holiday weekend, despite the gloomy news from Israel.
“People have leaned forward. If you’re going to hate us, we’ll be proud. We are going to stand firm,” said Rabbi Chaim Landa of the Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County.
The blowing of the shofar, a major celebration of Rosh Hashanah, will take place in parks and synagogues in St. Louis. Landa’s home was filled with meaning and reflection, even as it affects the Jewish community.
“We don’t read about this or watch it, but we get text messages and WhatsApp messages from real people we know,” Landa added.
The party will continue until Sunday. Despite the attacks taking place, Landa has a message for the community.
“We have a responsibility to be positive, to be proud. If there was ever an important moment, it is now,” he said.
As families and congregations around the world unite to celebrate the Jewish New Year, their hearts remain resilient, with the upcoming one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel weighing heavily on minds.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit FOX 2.
