3) We are in awe and in wonder before and within the Unity of All, recognizing that we live in an extraordinary time of a wonderful accomplishment - the election of this country's first African-American president. One year after the election of President Barack Obama, we still find ourselves uplifted and buoyed by the realization of this dream that represents and means so much.

4) We are in awe and in wonder before and within the Unity of All, acknowledging that our hopes for President Obama are fueled by the many disappointments already experienced and the obstacles that still stand in the way of achieving some of our most fundamental goals: equality for all races, ethnic backgrounds and nationalities, gender equality, full rights and dignity for the LGBT community, living wages, decent housing, ample educational opportunities and quality health care for all, and safety and security for ourselves and our loved ones. In the first year of his presidency, Mr. Obama has taken steps to address all of these issues and for that he has our great gratitude and admiration. As Jewish-Americans we are inspired to work toward the accomplishments of all these objectives as well, and we have one more - peace for Israel alongside a sovereign Palestine.

5) We are in awe and in wonder before and within the Unity of All, understanding that the "All" and the "Unity" must include both Israelis and Palestinians, knowing that we must share in the creation of symbiotic and cooperative destinies and we pledge to take responsibility for the welfare of each other's children as well as our own.

6) We are in awe and in wonder before and within the Unity of All, remembering that President Barack Obama's first set of phone calls from the Oval Office were to key leaders in the Middle East, beginning with Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas and shortly thereafter Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Many of us have prayed for such a demonstration of a U.S. commitment to peace and our prayer now is that these initial steps are nurtured so that they soon bear fruit.

7) We are in awe and in wonder before and within the Unity of All and we call forth an abundant commitment from ourselves and from President Barack Obama to continue to work for the day when the sounds of warfare, violence hatred and retribution, in Jerusalem and throughout the world, will be replaced by the sounds of singing, joy, familial love, sovereignty and safety. May this first year of hope for President Obama become a day of hope realized for Israel and Palestine.