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Thursday September 6, 2007

Happy New Year to all!

If we didn’t whet your appetite for Rosh Hashanah with last week’s cover story on kosher honey, we are stung with regret.

But maybe this will sweeten things a bit: The High Holy Days will soon be upon us, offering every Jew another shot at redemption and renewal.

Doesn’t it seem as if the years speed by faster and faster? How can another New Year have come so soon, the holy work of introspection begun yet again?

Perhaps we are not meant to fully collect our breath between Seasons of Awe.

How could we anyway, with such a momentous year gone by? Internationally, we saw more upheaval in Israel’s neighborhood. With Hamas’ takeover of Gaza, with Israel and her partners struggling to reach a peace deal and Iran continuing its provocations, it’s business as usual in that part of the world.

Domestically, last fall’s election changed the political equation in Washington yet America’s misguided war in Iraq muddles on. A new election cycle is already under way, and no one knows how it will play out. But one thing is sure: Jewish Americans will make their voices heard loud and clear.

Locally we have much to be thankful for. Our community has prospered, with Bay Area Jewish federations and endowments reporting record gains. For some in our community, the year was fraught with uneasiness; for others, it was the best of times.

But the shofar blows for all.

We hope our readers will attend Rosh Hashanah services this year. As the song says, “Hiney ma tov.” How good and pleasant it is to dwell together, especially on that special day.

Before we get there, we also urge you to check out Selichot. For those unfamiliar, it is a late-night service held the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah at which we say special penitential prayers, blow the shofar and prepare for the days ahead. It’s dark in the synagogue; the air is fragrant with Havdalah spices. That will surely get you in the mood.

And while we’re at it, if you’ve never participated in tashlich, this is your year. Tashlich means “casting off” in Hebrew. In the ceremony, Jews cast off their sins by throwing pieces of bread into the living waters. It takes place the day of Rosh Hashanah, and can be a very moving event.

We can just picture those little pieces of bread –– each representing a personal regret or disappointment –– flowing down the stream, passing away like time itself. It’s just one more eloquent facet of our tradition. What’s not to love?

We wish our readers a healthy and happy New Year. May you be inscribed in the Book of Life.

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