Printer Friendly

Email to A Friend

Friday January 3, 1997

Resolutions -- kosher style

Rosh Hashanah is, of course, the spiritual new year for Jews. But like the rest of America, we too attended parties, watched football and made resolutions Jan. 1.

The annual ritual of resolution-making may be secular but we suggest adapting the concept of self-improvement to our lives as Jews.

However observant you were in 1996, try to top it in 1997. We offer these seven suggestions:

1. Work out more.

Exercise your soul more often than you did last year. Attend religious services more frequently. Celebrate Shabbat with more joy and rest. Pick one ritual or mitzvah you didn't fully observe last year -- and just do it.

2. Eat more healthfully.

Our religion offers a huge quantity of soul food. Seek out the nourishing fare that satisfies your spiritual appetite.

3. Be nicer to family members.

Jewish unity eludes us when fellow Jews malign one another. If you catch yourself about to berate or stereotype fellow Jews, bite your tongue.

4. Be more assertive.

Speak your mind on the Israeli-Arab peace process. If you believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading in the right direction, let the Israeli government know by writing, calling, faxing or e-mailing. If you believe he's messing up, do the same.

5. Take a vacation.

Visit Israel. If you've already visited, go again.

6. Give more to charity.

Volunteer more time or money to your favorite Jewish causes.

7. Expand your mind.

Take more classes at synagogue, Lehrhaus Judaica or the JCC. Read more books on Jewish spirituality or history. Explore the Jewish world on the Internet.

When we make secular resolutions, we don't truly expect to keep them all. The same principle applies here. But if we can keep even one or two, Jews and Judaism will be better for it.

Did you find this article interesting? Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and you'll be notified each week when "J." goes online. We'll tell you about the most important stories of the week and give you a link to each one.

This page contains a BETA version of Amazon contextual links. They are marked by the dashed underline.  Your purchases support our site. At times they point to items which are not related to the actual link. Please alert us by email if you discover objectionable links.