Russian President Vladamir Putin issued a greeting to the country’s Jews this week in honor of the Rosh Hashannah holiday. “Russia’s Jews have always have always been known for tolerance and peaceable natures, respect for traditions and good neighborliness and mutual understanding,” he said.

Rosh Hashannah is the beginning of the new year, and also the Day of Judgment. The two-day holiday also begins the Aseret Yimei Teshuva – the ten days of repentance prior to Yom Kippur.