Tishrei 5786  תשרי

Monday, September 22, 2025.  We met a day before Rosh Hashana to welcome the New Year and the High Holy Days.  The weather was warm and the sky was clear – early fall in the Great Lakes is wonderful, with the lake keeping temperatures moderate and the leaves just beginning to turn. In the middle east, fall and harvest are upon us – grapes, figs, olives, and pomegranates all are brought in as we approach the holiday of Sukkot.

As we enter the New Year, we reflect on our lives and how we can do better in the coming year. We can think about this via the Jewish tradition of asking three questions, inspired by our sage Rabbi Hillel of the Talmud.  He asked,

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

But if I am only for myself, what am I?

If not now, when?”[1]

At our synagogue at Slichot, we asked ourselves three questions to help us to review and contemplate a New Year of promise:

What did I do this year that I am proud of?

Where did I fall short, or miss the mark?

What can I do this year in response to these questions?

Arlene Goldfarb, in a pandemic blog, asked:

Will I have enough time?
Will I be able to have a positive influence in the great awakening?
Will I be able to quiet my mind?

Or

Who are we as a people?
What do we stand for?
How do we want to be remembered?[2]

What are your three questions, as you enter the New Year? – may it be one of health, happiness, and hope.  L’Shana Tova! – K. Miriam

Our next Rosh Chodesh walking meditation will honor the month of Cheshvan, Thursday, October 23, 8:30 am.  Rain or shine! Contact us for location.

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[1] Rabbi Hillel (Pirke Avot 1:14)

[2] See: https://arlenegoldbard.com/2020/09/18/the-three-questions-pandemic-edition/