The Jewish High Holidays; Getting Back To Our Roots

I have been thinking about writing this article for a couple of weeks, and had the hardest time figuring out exactly what I wanted to write about. I found a blog in the Huffington Post with several articles about the Jewish Holidays, and I realized just what that message needed to be. It is the feeling we get when we enter the synagogue on that first day of Rosh Hashanah. We come together as a community that one time of year. Seeing all of our childhood friends, our parents' friends, and feeling that sense of oneness with those we have grown up with and spent these same days each year, in this holiest of places. It is comforting, and warm inside, with that overwhelming sense of familiarity, and goodness. I love seeing the little kids dressed up in their prettiest, and best clothes, crying in the nursery  because their parents had to leave them to go to the main service. For a while, there has been an alternative, interactive service where more of the kids are welcome, and alot of the younger families can stay together, as the service is shorter. I was raised on the main service in the synagogue, and although I agree with the offering of the alternative service, I couldn't imagine leaving the service I have come to know, and giving up the familiar prayers and tunes I am so accustomed to. Things have changed over the years, as the kids grew up, and my parents moved away, but I will always remember that feeling at this time of year, and I can't imagine not being a part of this most treasured tradition. It is still important to get together with whatever family is here, to eat all the holiday favorites; matzoh ball soup, gefilte fish, chopped eggs, chopped liver (my fav) fresh challah, Manishevitz wine, baked chicken, and/or brisket with potatoes and carrots. I have such great memories of these holidays at my temple, as I am sure all of my fellow jews do, at their own respective synagogues.

As I mentioned before, it is a feeling of oneness with each other as a community, and a feeling of kindness towards each other, as well. In this confusing time we live in today, with everyone split on basic issues, it is so important that we remember that we need to be there for each other; looking past ourselves, in an effort to take care of each other, and feel each others' needs and sensitivities.The Kabbalists have the right idea that kindness towards our community, and taking care of each other, as opposed to only caring about ourselves, is what makes us complete as human beings, and can take us to that higher level of success in our lives personally, and professionally.  We all have successes and failures in various aspects of our lives. We want to find that road to completeness, in an effort to be the best that we can be. It will come naturally if we look past ourselves, and embrace kindness and compassion for each other. In the words of King David “the world is built on kindness.” We can contribute to, and celebrate our own successes by being part of others' successes..

Rosh Hashanah falls on the Hebrew date 1 Tishrei 5773. Be happy as you start this new year, knowing that you are reaching for the highest power there is; kindness towards all, and caring, and comforting those around you. Feel the power as you hear the Shofar blow, ringing in the new year, and a start to new beginnings.

A common greeting on Rosh Hashanah is shana tovah u'metukah, Hebrew for "a good and sweet new year."

“L'shanah tovah friends and family, and very best to all.
May this new year move us all toward a healing of ourselves and our world for greater peace, health, and happiness.”

Happy New Year!!