There are flickers of optimism, but the sins of the past are catching up with us. Global warming, climate change, tolerance for despots, repression, new epidemics. The turtle appears to have survived on this planet for 100 million years. For us, I suspect: not so much.
I was not brought up in this religion but a different one & im not a religion person but I must tell you. THANK YOU MR KIRSCHNER . I LOVED THIS . THE RESPECT I HAVE FOR THE JEWISH WAY OF LIFE IS IMMEASURABLE. IT RESONATES WITH MY SOUL; WITH MY SPIRIT AND MY PERSONAL SENSE OF DOING THE NEXT RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASON. THAT IS TO CONTINUOUSLY WORK TOWARDS GROWING PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT & HELPING OTHERS . IT IS MY BELIEF THAT HELPING OTHERS IS THE “MIRACLE GRO” FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT GROWTH & BEGETS HELPING OTHERS.
I WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE PRAY FOR SO MUCH TO BE INSCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF LIFE FOR THE NEXT YEAR (THANK YOU FOR THAT) : OUR RIGHTS FREEDOM DEMOCRACY GREAT SOULS LIKE YOURS & MR RATHER AMONG SO MANY OTHERS. PROSPEROUS LIVES FOR THE POOR WORKING SUFFERING & OURSELVES UNENCUMBERED BY FEAR WORRY RESENTMENT & DEBT . REFLECTING ON THOSE LOST LAST YEAR I WILL ALSO TRY TO DO BETTER BECAUSE THEY TOUCHED ME HELPING ME TO BE MORE LOVING & CARING .
I’M SO GLAD I GREW UP IN ANOTHER AMERICAN MELTING POT AREA; EIN MY HOUSE & NEIGHBORHOOD WE APPRECIATED THE SCHOOL DAYS OFF FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT CULTURES THAT MAKE AMERICA A BETTER PLACE WHEN WE ALL STRIVE TO DO MITZVAHS & BE A MENSCH, THANK YOU AGAIN ELLIOT , HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.💜🙏🏼🙏🙏🏽🙏🏿🙏🏾🙏🏻💜
Thanks for doing such an incredible job of explaining the Jewish New Year. I also appreciate your hopes and wishes for the year ahead. Although I am Jewish and know of these things, I feel it’s important for people of other faiths to learn these things as well. Many have no idea what Jewish people believe. It is my hope that more people will educate themselves enough to realize that Jews are not a bad people. I never understood why we have been hated for so long by so many people. My parents were Holocaust survivors but they were also kind, generous, compassionate, caring and helpful people. Their Christian neighbors told me so at my parents funerals. Perhaps with education can come understanding and acceptance. We must all share this planet with each other and that is why it is essential that we learn to live together and help each other through the ups and downs of life. We need to strive to make this a better place for everyone. May the power of positive thinking, positive actions and positive words inspire us all. May you be inscribed for good health and happiness in the book of life!❤️
Last year, March 10 to be exact, my best friend died. We had worked together, he in his role as President of a medium size university, and I as Assistant to the President. For more than fifty years, we spent some part of every day, working to improve the educational programs of our University. For the year following his death, I felt devastated and alone. Then I did what I do best - write. I wrote a modest length book of our work. As I wrote, I relived our many efforts, some successful and some less so. Then i closed the book and put it on my personal bookshelf. Now and then, I glance at the book and find myself grateful for a job well done and for a life well lived. Now, life is easier and my mind feels rested, knowing that I did my best as a colleague and friend. As I live into my 90's, I am now ready for the day that I also, will breathe my last breath.
Thank you. I speak for myself as a retired Presbyterian pastor. I wish our churches had some similar to the Dày of Awe ( first time I heard that naming) and Yom Kippur to reflect in the presence of God and others about the past year and the plan for and celebrate the new. Services around January 1 don't cut it. Your reflection speaks important truths.
This was a great piece. I learned about your holidays. I enjoyed it.
Agree with it all especially the last paragraph and hopefully all the time!
There are flickers of optimism, but the sins of the past are catching up with us. Global warming, climate change, tolerance for despots, repression, new epidemics. The turtle appears to have survived on this planet for 100 million years. For us, I suspect: not so much.
Beautifully written … thank you!
Shana Tova to you both and
G’mar Chatima Tova!
Elliot, this is beautiful. Thank you. May all the folks I love be inscribed in the book of life for another precious year.
A beautiful essay. Happy Rosh Hashanah.
I was not brought up in this religion but a different one & im not a religion person but I must tell you. THANK YOU MR KIRSCHNER . I LOVED THIS . THE RESPECT I HAVE FOR THE JEWISH WAY OF LIFE IS IMMEASURABLE. IT RESONATES WITH MY SOUL; WITH MY SPIRIT AND MY PERSONAL SENSE OF DOING THE NEXT RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASON. THAT IS TO CONTINUOUSLY WORK TOWARDS GROWING PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT & HELPING OTHERS . IT IS MY BELIEF THAT HELPING OTHERS IS THE “MIRACLE GRO” FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT GROWTH & BEGETS HELPING OTHERS.
I WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE PRAY FOR SO MUCH TO BE INSCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF LIFE FOR THE NEXT YEAR (THANK YOU FOR THAT) : OUR RIGHTS FREEDOM DEMOCRACY GREAT SOULS LIKE YOURS & MR RATHER AMONG SO MANY OTHERS. PROSPEROUS LIVES FOR THE POOR WORKING SUFFERING & OURSELVES UNENCUMBERED BY FEAR WORRY RESENTMENT & DEBT . REFLECTING ON THOSE LOST LAST YEAR I WILL ALSO TRY TO DO BETTER BECAUSE THEY TOUCHED ME HELPING ME TO BE MORE LOVING & CARING .
I’M SO GLAD I GREW UP IN ANOTHER AMERICAN MELTING POT AREA; EIN MY HOUSE & NEIGHBORHOOD WE APPRECIATED THE SCHOOL DAYS OFF FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT CULTURES THAT MAKE AMERICA A BETTER PLACE WHEN WE ALL STRIVE TO DO MITZVAHS & BE A MENSCH, THANK YOU AGAIN ELLIOT , HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.💜🙏🏼🙏🙏🏽🙏🏿🙏🏾🙏🏻💜
Thank you for the easy to understand explanation of Rosh Hashanah. It is much appreciated.
Diann
Good column
Dan, Today I have become a paid subscriber to 'Steady'. Your gentle reminder worked! Indrani
Thanks for doing such an incredible job of explaining the Jewish New Year. I also appreciate your hopes and wishes for the year ahead. Although I am Jewish and know of these things, I feel it’s important for people of other faiths to learn these things as well. Many have no idea what Jewish people believe. It is my hope that more people will educate themselves enough to realize that Jews are not a bad people. I never understood why we have been hated for so long by so many people. My parents were Holocaust survivors but they were also kind, generous, compassionate, caring and helpful people. Their Christian neighbors told me so at my parents funerals. Perhaps with education can come understanding and acceptance. We must all share this planet with each other and that is why it is essential that we learn to live together and help each other through the ups and downs of life. We need to strive to make this a better place for everyone. May the power of positive thinking, positive actions and positive words inspire us all. May you be inscribed for good health and happiness in the book of life!❤️
Wow. That was a lovely gift I did not know I needed. Thank you, sir.
Thank you, and mazel tov!
Hi Dan:
Last year, March 10 to be exact, my best friend died. We had worked together, he in his role as President of a medium size university, and I as Assistant to the President. For more than fifty years, we spent some part of every day, working to improve the educational programs of our University. For the year following his death, I felt devastated and alone. Then I did what I do best - write. I wrote a modest length book of our work. As I wrote, I relived our many efforts, some successful and some less so. Then i closed the book and put it on my personal bookshelf. Now and then, I glance at the book and find myself grateful for a job well done and for a life well lived. Now, life is easier and my mind feels rested, knowing that I did my best as a colleague and friend. As I live into my 90's, I am now ready for the day that I also, will breathe my last breath.
Give copies of your memoir to your university and to the former president's family.
This is a beautiful essay. Thank you.
Thank you. I speak for myself as a retired Presbyterian pastor. I wish our churches had some similar to the Dày of Awe ( first time I heard that naming) and Yom Kippur to reflect in the presence of God and others about the past year and the plan for and celebrate the new. Services around January 1 don't cut it. Your reflection speaks important truths.