---
title: "Opinion: In challenging times, work of inclusion, giving, and tradition continues"
description: "Opinion: In challenging times, work of inclusion, giving, and tradition continues"
---

[Blog - Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia](https://blog.jewishphilly.org)

# [Opinion: In challenging times, work of inclusion, giving, and tradition continues](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/opinion-in-challenging-times-work-of-inclusion-giving-and-tradition-continues)

 Written by [Emma Needleman](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/author/emma-needleman) | Sep 20, 2017 1:45:41 PM

Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish calendar year, is a time to celebrate the year ahead and to reflect on the one past. It’s a time where we come together to commit ourselves to our shared values, to guide ourselves to the choices and actions that will bring meaning to our lives and the community around us. Similar to last year, we continue to struggle to define the attributes of a singular, Jewish identity. Sitting down to a holiday dinner with family members who have different views on politics, Israel, or religious observances for some has become alienating rather than engaging. And, far too many lack the resources, including transportation, to partake in a communal holiday at all.

[View Full Article](http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/rosh-hashanah-yom-kippur-jewish-federation-stand-against-hate-20170920.html?mobi=true)

[View full post](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/opinion-in-challenging-times-work-of-inclusion-giving-and-tradition-continues)

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