A Better New Year.....

Tonight is Erev Rosh Hashanah--the eve of the new year.  Traditionally for Jews the world over this is a moment to reflect on all that has happened over the past year, analyze our shortcomings and transgressions and vow to be better in the new year.  The moment is marked by savoring a fresh challah bread or apples dipped in honey to symbolize the wish for us all to have a sweet year going forward.  This time is known as the High Holy Days of Judaism, culminating in Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement.  On that day we ask God for forgiveness for our sins, our transgressions, and vow to make amends and be better humans over the coming year.

For me, it was always a time of awe as I sat in the Synagogue as a young boy and listened to the haunting melodies and supplications to God.  It was a time to feel optimistic and cleansed of the 'mess' of the year past.  And so, this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, all Jews around the world, but especially here in America have a yearning--a longing for relief.  The 'mess' of this last year is truly a mess!  We have lost loved ones to a scourge; we have endured a period of great anger, stress and lies; we have seen the foundation of what we all believed was indestructible in our society--our social fabric, our governmental order--being ripped apart by a wicked force personified by a despicable human being and his followers.

And yet, how interesting that the High Holy Days and our yearning as a people for the exaltation of truth, honesty and love of God coincide so neatly with the immediacy of our moment of electoral decision, and our yearning as a country for a better America.  What was once for me an assumed understanding of what the High Holy Days meant to Jews, now takes on new and pointed meaning for all of us as Americans.  There is so much that can be better...and it starts with our fundamental understanding that we are all one people.  We are one nation, under God.  Somehow most of us have forgotten that in the midst of unrelenting efforts to divide us.

The really scary part of all this is that as we approach our day of electoral reckoning, both sides of the divide seem to believe that if they lose, then all is lost for America.  That goes against 242 years of history where Americans have come together behind a newly elected leader and reaffirmed that we are one United States of America.  I fear that unless we promote that resolution and choose someone to lead who believes in that premise, we are headed for a violent aftermath to this election.  And it is clear from his pronouncements, his tweets, his divisive statements that Donald J. Trump will stop at nothing to win, including fomenting violence and upheaval if he loses.  There are those on the opposing side that foster the same kind of contempt for the result of Trump winning and will threaten to take up arms if that is the result.

I cannot remember a time like this ever in my lifetime, and doubtless no one can.  There has never been a prospect so devastating to the United States of America.  Unless we can find a way to take a step back from the brink, I fear we are headed for some desperate times.  

So, this Rosh Hashanah--I wish all of you some love, peace and optimism, and fortitude to weather what is upon us from the virus and our politics.  Let us be kind to one another and promote the goodness of our people to ourselves and all others.  May this new year offer all of us hope for the future and hope for a better America.