Beginning yesterday morning at 4:00 am and throughout the day, a blessing, #NewYearPrayer, was being sent around the world via social media. This new initiative shares a message of reflection, hope and inspiration for the coming year as well as brings together networks of people through congregations and community centers to encourage and amplify High Holiday customs.

It began in Sydney, Australia and traveled to communities in Hong Kong, Tel Aviv, Minsk, Johannesburg, Krakow, Paris, London, Buenos Aires, New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Honolulu. Each community was able to receive the shared blessing, have an opportunity to showcase their community, share their local teaching moments and/or customs and then pass the blessing on to the next community.

#NewYearPrayer is an initiative of The Bronfman Center for Jewish Life at New York’s 92Y. Visit them on Facebook at New Year Prayer and join them by using the hashtag #NewYearPrayer on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with your own personal messages and reflections.

You can also view a global slideshow of #NewYearPrayer here.