London Mayor Boris Johnson has issued a Rosh Hashanah greeting to the capital’s Jewish community.
Mr Johnson said: “As well as looking ahead to a new year, Rosh Hashanah is a period of reflection for the Jewish community.
“It is also an opportunity for us all to consider the great things that Jewish people have done to help our city prosper.
“Not only has London's Jewish community contributed to our buoyant, booming economy, it has also been at the heart of our city's cultural life.”
The Conservative mayor, who will stand for Parliament at May’s general election, added: “'This has been a difficult year, but Jewish Londoners can look to the future with great optimism as we recognise their value to London.
“I wish everyone a happy, safe and secure Rosh Hashanah and all the best for the coming fast. L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu.”
In his New Year message, Israel’s Ambassador to Britain Daniel Taub said: “We are coming to the end of an enormously challenging year for Israel, which many of us will not be sorry to put behind us.
“This was a year in which we witnessed the best of Israeli society and the Jewish people. We saw it in the young men and women of the IDF, who risked and laid down their lives to defend their families and their country.
“We saw it in the Israelis from across the political spectrum who put aside their differences to stand together for the sake of not only the existence of our state but the ideals we share and the peace we all hope to create.”
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond added his own message of goodwill to the community ahead of the festival.
“As Rosh Hashanah approaches, I would like to extend my best wishes to the Jewish community in the UK and around the world as they prepare to celebrate the start of the Jewish New Year. I sincerely hope that the year ahead will deliver peace and security to Israel and all its neighbours," he said.
“L’Shanah Tovah U’Metuka (a happy and sweet new year) to you and your families.”
