Posted by Marjorie U. Sokoll

At sunset on September 8, the ten-day High Holy Day journey from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur begins. These ten Days of Awe are a time of reflection and introspection to help us spiritually prepare for the year to come.

For those who have experienced the loss of someone significant this past year, or the challenges of an illness, it can be an especially difficult time of year. The holiday greeting, shanah tovah, "a good year," expresses a sense of hope for the coming year. And yet, the Hebrew root of the word shanah, or year, also means change.

As human beings we are perpetually faced with many unexpected changes during our lifetime, as well as the ability to change. When we take time to pause at the beginning of the new year, we truly give ourselves the gift of self-reflection, a gift that offers the opportunity to review the past year and envision a new year that will be one of blessing.

Please join us for our High Holy Day Community Memorial Service.

Marjorie U. Sokoll, MEd., Director of Jewish Life and Healing, is the founder and director of JF&CS Jewish Healing Connections, which helps ensure that people feel a sense of connection when facing the challenges of illness, loss, or isolation by offering spiritual and communal supports to provide hope, comfort, and wholeness guided by Jewish tradition. "It is not good for people to be alone." (Genesis 2:18)