New Year 5770

 

Hello and Shana Tova - Happy New Year

Labor Day has come and gone which means that the Jewish High Holidays are close at hand. In fact, the Jewish New Year of 5770 will occur on Saturday & Sunday, September 19 & 20 (on the Hebrew calendar, the 1st & 2nd days of the Hebrew month of Tishri).
The Jewish New Year is actually 2 days long, but is considered as sort of one long day, known in Aramaic as Yoma Arichta. 

Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days, known in the Hebrew as Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) or also as Asseret Yemei Teshuva.
These 10 days are specifically set aside for one to focus on true repentance, and will conclude with the High Holy Day of Yom Kippur.*

This is the time one should look in the mirror and do true introspection - to assess one`s behavior over the past year, and to see where we may have gone astray in any and every area of our life. One must then seek forgiveness and pardon of those whom one may have harmed or mistreated. It is then of utmost importance to work on one’s self-improvement for the coming year. 

Maybe, just maybe, if a sufficient number of us resolve to act in a more civil, responsive and kind way towards others, regardless of one`s religious belief, color of the skin, or national origin, then perhaps there is hope for a better, more peaceful and tranquil world. This is my prayer, wish, and fervent hope.

Shanah Tovah u`Metukah, a good, sweet and peaceful New Year to each and every one of you.

Fondly,
Marion

* It was on Yom Kippur, October 10, 1951, that Nathaniel and I first met in shul (synagogue) in Peoria, Illinois. After services, Nathaniel walked me all the way home, and was back at my front door the very next day!