Rosh Hashanah 2012: Deputy Prime Minister video message
The Deputy Prime Minister has recorded a video message to mark Rosh Hashanah.
Read the full transcript of the video below:
As the High Holy days draw near I wish Jews across the world shanah tovah - a good year.
Rosh Hashanah is a time to celebrate, a time to be with family and community, and a time to look forward to New Year.
I know that the shofar - a clarion call that cuts through the noise and distractions of everyday life - also creates an opportunity to stop and reflect; a powerful invitation to consider the changes you want to make in the year ahead.
Whether you’re Jewish or not, Rosh Hashanah also strikes me as the perfect time to pay tribute to the unique contribution the Jewish community makes to British life - and has done for centuries.
Wherever you find Jewish families living and working you find Jewish principles.
Tikkun olam - a sense of responsibility for righting wrongs in the world, tzedakah - social justice, chessed - loving kindness, education and peace.
And those principles have a way of reaching out beyond the Jewish community into wider British society - and that is something we should all value.
Just as we should all share in the message of hope for the future that characterises this holiday.
It really is a very special time.
So let me say Shanah tovah umetukah - I hope you have a happy and sweet new year, and tzom kal - an easy fast.