Israeli Ambassador Speaks in Hillsborough

Speaking at Temple Beth-El, Hillsborough, NJ, on the morning of September 29, the first day of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael B. Oren highlighted the long-standing unique relationship between Israel and the United States.  

Ambassador Oren emphasized the importance of this relationship and the role of the United States as Israel’s strong advocate within the world community in the context of the ongoing security threats Israel continues to confront from its Middle East neighbors. These threats include rockets launched from Lebanon and Gaza, and Iran’s nuclear program. 

The ambassador also trumpeted Israel’s commercial accomplishments, including its robust economy with a relatively low unemployment rate, and its position as a major player on the world economic scene.

An American-born Israeli historian and author, Oren was appointed Ambassador to the United States by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 3, 2009. As a condition of assuming this post, Oren was forced to give up his United States citizenship.

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. The first of the High Holy Days, it is celebrated on the first two days of Tishrei, th seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Rosh Hashanah customs include sounding the shofar, a ram’s horn, and eating symbolic foods such as applies dipped in honey.

Temple Beth-El is a Reform Jewish congregation that offers a complete program for both religious and early childhood education. A member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), Temple Beth-El was established in 1953 by a fifteen families. Today, the congregation numbers more than 450 households and offers a variety of cultural, educational, social and spiritual opportunities to its members and the greater New Jersey Jewish community.  For more information about temple life and its programs, please see the website http://bethel.urj.net or call the temple at 908-722-0674.

Submitted by Temple Beth El