As the sun sets and communities around the world welcome Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, we are reminded that time itself carries with it an invitation: to pause, to reflect, and to begin again. Rosh Hashanah is not simply a celebration marked by ritual and tradition; it is a profound spiritual milestone that calls individuals and communities to re-examine their past, take responsibility for their actions, and embrace the possibility of renewal.

At the Centre for Responsible Leadership, these themes resonate deeply with our vision of leadership in today’s world. Just as Rosh Hashanah urges individuals to look inward with honesty and humility, responsible leadership calls us to consider the ethical, social, and global consequences of our choices. The parallel is striking: both require courage, self-awareness, and the willingness to commit to a future grounded in integrity and purpose.

The Call of Reflection and Accountability

Central to Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the shofar, the ram’s horn whose piercing notes are meant to awaken the soul. It is a call to self-examination — to wake from complacency, acknowledge our shortcomings, and confront the truth of our actions.

For leaders, the shofar is also a metaphor. It reminds us that leadership is not only about guiding others, but about taking responsibility for the paths we have chosen and the impact we leave behind. Leaders are called to ask:

• Have my actions uplifted those I serve, or caused harm?

• Have I led with fairness and integrity, or with narrow self-interest?

• Have I built trust, listened with empathy, and opened space for dialogue?

True leadership, like the spirit of Rosh Hashanah, requires humility — the ability to recognize mistakes, seek forgiveness, and create room for healing and growth.

Renewal and the Power of New Beginnings

While reflection is central, Rosh Hashanah is also a season of hope and renewal. It marks the beginning of a new year, a symbolic turning of the page. The traditions — from sharing apples dipped in honey to offering blessings for a “sweet year” — emphasize the possibility of fresh beginnings, both for individuals and for entire communities.

In the sphere of leadership, renewal means embracing the future with vision and responsibility. It is an invitation to reimagine how we lead:

• To cultivate compassion alongside strategy.

• To seek solutions that serve not only immediate interests but also the well-being of future generations.

• To rebuild trust where it has been fractured.

• To act with courage in addressing global challenges, from inequality and conflict to climate change and technological ethics.

Leadership, at its best, is a commitment to renewal — the daily decision to rise above past limitations and lead with a spirit of service.

A Universal Message

Though rooted in Jewish tradition, the lessons of Rosh Hashanah are universal. Every culture, every community, has its own rituals of reflection and renewal. What makes Rosh Hashanah unique is the balance it strikes between accountability and hope: the acknowledgment of our flaws coupled with the belief that change is always possible.

At the Centre for Responsible Leadership, we believe this rhythm of reflection and renewal is the foundation of global leadership. When leaders embrace self-awareness, accountability, and the possibility of new beginnings, they not only transform their own lives but also contribute to the healing and renewal of the world around them.

A Blessing for the New Year

As this new year begins, may Rosh Hashanah inspire us all — whether we celebrate the holiday or not — to embrace the call of reflection and renewal. May we cultivate the humility to acknowledge where we have fallen short, the courage to make amends, and the vision to lead with greater responsibility and compassion.

To all who are observing, Shanah Tovah U’Metukah — may it be a good and sweet year. And to leaders everywhere, may this season be a reminder that renewal is always possible, and that leadership rooted in reflection and responsibility has the power to transform our shared future.