For Jewish professionals, this is without a doubt the craziest time of year.  I have a good friend who is an Episcopalian priest, and every year when we lived in the same city we would get together and talk about how much we had to do to get ready for the start of the school year.  AFTER we compared our school to-do lists, I started talking about Rosh Hashanah.  And then Yom Kippur.  And Sukkot and Yizkor and Simchat Torah…. The list goes on and on.  Father Rhodes always said, “You win!  Your list is longer!” 

While Temple Sinai is certainly buzzing right now—the school year is off to a beautiful start, and our holidays begin (gasp!) tomorrow night—the truth is that this time of year, with all its business, is a wonderful gift.  As our children and grandchildren return to school, as summer vacations are good and over, as everything seems to settle back into “normal,” we are blessed with holidays that allow us to take time and figure out exactly how we want “normal” to be.  Do we want to continue the way we always have, or do we want to change?  Do we want to turn away from the actions and choices that drag us down and instead turn toward our highest and holiest selves?  There may be a million things on our to-do lists, but right now we should be focusing on our souls, on new beginnings, and on teshuvah—getting back to the things that are most important.  As Jews, that list includes (but is certainly not limited to):  making time for our spirits; honoring our family members; having tzedakah be at the forefront of our lives; listening to God’s still small voice. 

This is the time of year when the school bells ring; it’s also the time of year when the Shofar blows, and we are called back—back to our community, ourselves, and our God.  I wish all of you a meaningful, sweet, and joyous New Year.  Shanah Tovah!

For more insight on the High Holy Days and this week’s Torah portion, visit urj.org/torah.

Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Annie