- September 22, 2025
- 3:11 pm
- World News
Dear friends and readers,
May the year 5786 become a time of liberation and return. May it bring the victory of good over evil, peace over war, hope over despair. May homes in Israel and Ukraine be filled with light, love, and blessing.
We congratulate you on the Jewish New Year — 5786.
“Rosh Hashanah” has always been a time of hope and renewal. But today, as Israel and Ukraine go through severe trials, the words “Shanah Tovah Umetukah” sound especially poignant.
Israel: hostages, frontlines, and constant threats
Israel meets the New Year with an unhealed wound. Dozens of Israelis are still held in Gaza, and their families continue to live in agonizing anticipation. The pain for each hostage has become common to the entire country.
But the trials are not limited to this. Israel lives under constant pressure from enemies. Hamas, Hezbollah, the Iranian regime, the Houthis, and other proxy structures continue to threaten the country’s freedom and security. Their rockets, drones, and attacks from various directions — from Gaza, the borders of Lebanon and Syria, from the Red Sea — remind us that Israel is surrounded by hostile forces.
On these frontlines stand Israeli soldiers. They serve in Gaza, in the north, in Judea and Samaria. Their courage is a guarantee that the country continues to live and develop even in the darkest times.
Ukraine: prisoners, frontlines, and life in exile
Ukraine meets the New Year with heavy pain. Thousands of its citizens — military and civilians — remain in Russian prisons and camps. Their families await their return with the same pain as in Israel, waiting for their hostages.
On the frontlines — in Donbas, in the south and north — Ukrainian soldiers fight daily with the aggressor, defending the freedom and future of the country. Russia continues its shelling: rockets and drones fall on cities and towns, turning homes, schools, and hospitals into ruins.
Millions of Ukrainians meet the New Year far from home. They are forced to rebuild their lives in Poland, Germany, Canada, Israel, and dozens of other countries. But the heart of every refugee remains with Ukraine, and the dream of returning home lives in each of them.
Ukraine lives under constant terror, but it is the resilience of soldiers and citizens that makes it strong. Despite destruction and losses, the people maintain faith in victory and are ready to continue the struggle.
Common fate and hope
Israel and Ukraine share a similar fate. Both peoples fight against enemies who want to deprive them of freedom and the right to exist. One — with hostile regimes like Iran and terrorist organizations and proxy armies, the other — with a military empire. But the essence of the struggle is the same: it is a battle for life, for the future, for peace.
Rosh Hashanah reminds us that even in the most difficult times, we must not lose faith. We believe that in the year 5786, hostages from Gaza and Ukrainian prisoners from Russian prisons will return home. That soldiers of Israel and Ukraine will embrace their families. That refugees will be able to open the doors of their homes again.
Together towards the light
The editorial team of NANews – news of Israel, thanks everyone who stays with us. We write about Haifa and Kyiv, Tel Aviv and Odessa, Jerusalem and Lviv, to build bridges between our peoples.
!Shanah Tovah Umetukah – Happy New Year, friends!
May the year 5786 become a time of liberation and return.
May it bring the victory of good over evil, peace over war, hope over despair. May homes in Israel and Ukraine be filled with light, love, and blessing.
