Dear Members of the University Community,

Last night, Jewish members of our Santa Clara community celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the high holy days, or "days of awe". In the Jewish oral tradition, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, celebrates the completion of the creation of the world and the coronation of God. For ten days beginning with Rosh Hashanah, Jews devote themselves to special prayers and acts of repentance. This special penitential period culminates with Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, the most solemn day in the Jewish year. 

On Rosh Hashanah, the shofar, or ram's horn, is blown. This is a symbol of spiritual awakening. Each in our own way, we need to hear the shofar. For people of all faith traditions, we are called to "wake up" and become more alert to how God is laboring in our lives and in ourselves. We hear anew the summons to live our faith or other personal commitments in concrete deeds of charity and justice. These "days of awe" also offer us an opportunity to tend to relationships that might be wounded or in need of reconciliation. This includes our relationship to the natural world.

I wish our Jewish colleagues and students, Shana Tova, a sweet, happy and healthy new year. And may all of us experience a new academic year of spiritual and intellectual growth.

Sincerely,

Kevin F. O'Brien, S.J.
President