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What is Rosh Hashanah?
The Jewish New Year

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Rosh Hashanah: Can’t Stop the Feeling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBTfGXw69HY

Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father Our King)
אבינו מלכנו

 www.youtube.com/v/KHYq3iUS-DA?version=3&hl=en_US

What Makes Rosh Hashanah Beautiful

ReJewvenAishions Aish Student Band

 www.youtube.com/v/7BtgeiIdl7U?version=3&hl=en_US

 www.youtube.com/v/WsZ5QK2qlcU?hl=en_US

APPLE AND HONEY PUDDING

Take four cups of raw apples cut in small pieces, two cups of bread crumbs, one-half cup of hot water, two teaspoons of butter, two teaspoons of cinnamon, one-half cup of honey. Put a layer of the apple in a well-buttered pudding dish; then a layer of crumbs. Mix the honey and hot water. Pour part of this over the crumbs, sprinkle with cinnamon and dot with a few bits of butter. Fill the dish with alternate layers of apples, crumbs, honey, etc., having a layer of crumbs on top. Cover and bake forty-five minutes. Serve with cream.

 www.youtube.com/v/Q9HqJTD2E0Q?version=3&hl=en_US

Making Challah for the Jewish New Year

Author: Andrea Wyn

I decided to make challah for the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and thought I would share the process. What I couldn't believe was how easy it is to make this egg bread and that you shouldn't be intimidated when considering making bread from scratch.

I divided up the process by going to the market yesterday for the ingredients. To make challah for the Jewish New Year, you need the following ingredients:

1. Flour
2. Yeast
3. Water
4. Sugar
5. Salt
6. Eggs
7. Vegetable Oil

Here is the recipe for egg bread. I got this from Marlene Sorosky's Fast & Festive Meals for the Jewish Holidays.

* 1 package of active dry yeast
* 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon of sugar, divided
* 1/4 cup warm water
* 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 cup boiling water
* 1/4 cup cold water
* 1 4/ cup vegetable oil
* Poppy or sesame seeds, for topping

In a small bowl, combine the yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar and warm water and set aside for 5 minutes or until foamy.

Mix in a bowl the flour, salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs until frothy and add to the flour mixture plus the yeast mixture, boiling and cold water and oil and mix for about 5 minutes either by hand or with a mixer and dough hook. I mixed the dough until there were no lumps.

I then kneaded the dough by hand on a marble pastry board for about 15 minutes using plenty of flour to prevent sticking and to make the dough very elastic.

Then oil a large glass bowl and place the dough in the bowl and be sure to coat the dough with the oil. Place a damp cloth over the dough and allow to rise at room temperature or in a warm heated place (90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 90 minutes. (I warmed my oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and then turned it off and placed the dough inside the oven.)

Allow the dough to double and then take out and divide into three equal portions and braid. Or just make a loaf and create a circle to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.

Let the finished dough loaf sit out at room temperature for another 45 minutes and brush on an egg wash and sprinkle poppy or sesame seeds if desired. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.

One of the points I like to emphasize in Budget Bash is to make it simple and not stress out about preparing for a party. I made the challah the day before the Jewish New Year and will serve it at dinner on Rosh Hashanah day.

I hope you found this recipe for egg bread (challah) easy and fun to make for the Jewish New Year. I know I did. Happy Rosh Hashanah and until next time, remember the Budget Bash mantra: make it simple, delicious, stylish, fun & economical to all!

Article Source: http://andreawyn.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/making-challah-for-the-jewish-new-year-3242074.html

About the Author
With over 15 years in the special event industry, Andrea has now taken her knowledge and experiences and incorporated this information into an easy-to-read book called Budget Bash - Simply Fabulous Events on a Budget. You can talk to Andrea via Twitter @awynningevent or learn more about wedding and special event management by visiting awynningevent.com.

NUT HONEY CAKE

Mix two cups of brown sugar, two cups of honey, six egg yolks and beat them thoroughly. Sift together three cups of flour, one-quarter teaspoon of salt, three teaspoons of ground cinnamon, one-half teaspoon each of ground cloves, ground nutmeg and allspice, and one and one-half teaspoons of soda; add one cup of chopped raisins, one-half ounce of citron cut in small pieces, one-half ounce of candied orange peel cut in small pieces, one-half pound of almonds coarsely chopped. Beat the whites of three eggs very stiff and add them last. Pour the dough to the depth of about half an inch into well-buttered tins and bake in a slow oven for one-half hour.

Simply Shofars
A Natural Item with a Beautiful Sound

A shofar is a natural instrument made from a ram's horn (ashkenazi shofar) or an African antelope yemenite shofar). In ancient times, it was blown during religious ceremonies as well as a signal for battle. Today, shofars are blown during the high holiday services, during Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur. Sometimes educators will bring a shofar into school to teach on the ancient traditions, and increasingly more and more Christians are using shofars during their worship times. Besides these regular uses, a shofar makes a great gift for bar or bat mitzvah, birthday, anniversary, marriage and more, because it helps reinforce Jewish heritage, and the values of Judaism, and many a home has a shofar on display.

Shofars in general measure from about 7" to 52", measured along the curve. The sound is affected by the length of the shofar along the curve, the size of the mouthpiece, thickness of the shofar, size of the twist/curve, and, of course, the person playing it. In general, the larger the shofar, the easier it is to blow, the deeper the sound you'll get from it, and the more tones, but this does not always hold true and sometimes there are radical exceptions to the rule!

One thing to note is that many shofars have a distinctive odor, particularly the yemenite shofars which are more difficult to clean. If the smell is bothersome, it can be cleaned with a mixture of sand, vinegar and water, which should be shaken around inside, then rinsed and dried off. It is strongly recommended that no form of lacquer or other permanent substance be poured down the inside of the shofar, since this can cause irreversible damage.

A quality shofar will produce a good sound without an additional mouthpiece, and it is not recommended to put a mouthpiece into a shofar since it is a natural animal product and it's sound and variance in tones are all part of its distinction. In addition, because it is a natural animal product, all shofars have some form of nicks, dents, and/or scratches; remember, it has been knocked around by an animal for a long time before you ever saw it! The only thing that is not acceptable is a crack going through to the inside of the mouthpiece, since this can stop it being played properly.

When you decide to purchase a shofar, make sure you buy it from a company that's willing to provide customized service. For instance, you may want a very large, fully polished shofar that will be used primarily as a display, or you may want one that gives the most number of tones and/or highest volume for a synagogue. You may want the shofar for a young child, so it must be easy to blow and produce sound, or you may want one for yourself that has a specific tone to it.

A good shofar seller will work with their customers individually to find the perfect shofar for each person, and will even encourage them to call or email if they have any questions at all about their shofar purchase. Not all shofars are created equal and come from quality manufacturers, so don't be shy to ask questions before you buy!

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com
About the Author
Adam Barnett works for Studio Shofar Judaica & Gifts, and hopes to help educate the judaica market to better understand judaica products in general.
Visit his website to learn more about such items at http://www.studioshofar.com

Rosh Hashana:
A Celebration of the Kosher Grocery Store

Every year around the American calendar months of September and October, a Jewish Holiday is celebrated: Rosh Hashana. Rosh Hashana is a holiday listed in the Bible (Levitichus 23) and the importance of the holiday is to use it as a time to look inward. By looking in you acknowledge your good deeds and not so good deeds, ask for forgiveness and make a resolution to do better the coming year. This holiday also kick off a month long three high holiday combination (two of which have been labeled the High Holidays). Rosh Hashana is literally interpreted as “head of the year” but the looser translation is “new year”. Interestingly enough the Jewish calendar month that Rosh Hashana falls in, is not the first month of the calendar year, it's actually the seventh month. So why is this holiday called “the new year” then? The best way to explain this is to look at the American calendar year. In January the first month of the calendar year there is “New Year”, the official start of the year. However, September marks the start of the new year for schools. Thus starting a new (school) year that holiday plans and vacations revolve until the end of the school year marking a new year of summer vacation. So, essentially the calendar year marks various “new years”, yet there is one official new year, and the same is true for the Jewish calendar as well. Although Rosh Hashana is a holiday that is predominately spent in the synagogue, Rosh Hashana is a holiday that like so many other holidays has its traditions that have evolved to mark a joyous occasion that is usually spent with friends and family. The actual foods prepared differ by region however there are “basic” symbols that are the same. The symbols we use in our meals just remind us of the purpose of the celebration. One of the most popular and easily remembered “symbol' is apples and honey. Taking pieces of apples and dipping them in honey is eaten with the holiday meal , this symbol is used to signify a desire for a sweet new year. Another tradition is to locate a “new fruit”. A new fruit is categorized as a fruit that you have not eaten all year. The Autumn seems to produce such fruits as persimmons, pomegranate in the grocery stores for those of who live in the Northern Hemisphere, and make a wonderful treat to those looking to have a sweet and prosperous new year. The last holiday symbol is a head of a fish. A fish head represents the “head of the year” or the first and it represents wholeness that we are trying to have for the coming year. This time of the year there are a variety of apples in full blossom and what better way to get your new year off to a great start than by sampling the variety of apples, persimmons, pomegranates and whatever your favorite autumn fruit in your local grocery store. While you are there, remember your ingredients for honey cakes and other sweets. Shana Tova! Have a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! Avi Glattis a glatt kosher butcher and grocery store located in Brooklyn New York. They can deliver your kosher new york locally and nationally.

Avi Glattis a glatt kosher butcher and grocery store located in Brooklyn New York. They can deliver your kosher new york locally and nationally.
 Related Articles - Kosher New York, Kosher Food New York,

RICE KUGEL

Boil one cup of rice in water until done, then let it cool. In the meanwhile rub one-fourth cup of chicken-fat to a cream, add a scant cup of powdered sugar, a little cinnamon, the grated peel of one lemon, the yolks of three eggs, adding one at a time; one-half cup of raisins seeded, one-half pound of stewed prunes pitted, then add the cold rice. One-half cup of pounded almonds mixed with a few bitter ones improves this pudding. Serve with a pudding sauce, either wine or brandy. This pudding may be eaten hot or cold and may be either baked or boiled. If baked, one hour is required; if boiled, two hours; the water must be kept boiling steadily. Left-over rice may be used, butter instead of the fat, and the rice may be boiled in milk.

OF PROMISES MADE AND TO BE KEPT
Russell A. Irving

It's come again. When we least expected it. Snuck up on us, while living our busy, stressful life.
The New Year.

Of course, we wonder whether or not we fulfilled promises made to G_d, last Rosh Hashanah. If we did, we beam with inner satisfaction. If not, we begin the perennial process of rationalizing why we were unable to keep them.

Do we truly imagine that G_d does not know why we might have failed to keep our end of 'the bargain'? And why He kept his? --  Do we believe that G_d does not take note? Do we dare to examine this?

While a basic belief is that G_d will always forgive us, we should remember that G_d does observe us. He is the ultimate judge. And, as we read in the Bible, He is willing to mete out punishment when deemed necessary or appropriate to do so. Adam and Eve. Moses being denied access to Israel, after leading his people to freedom and for forty years. And on it goes...

G_d is not vengeful. He yearly offers us an opportunity to ask others for forgiveness and to seek the same from Him. An opportunity to give freely to others. An opportunity to pray more often and for more than our own needs. An opportunity to be inscribed in the Book of Life for one more year.

Yet, how often do we pay Him only lip service?

Do not confuse our New Year with the secular one. Resolutions... Promises... Are not meant to be broken. - Our New Year promises are meant to be our personal covenant with G_d. - Do we take promises made by our spouse, children, or best friends, lightly? - Do we not expect our boss' word to be kept? And they, our word?

There is the saying that you should act as honorably when alone and only G_d is watching you, as you act when others are around.

G_d also asks that we seek forgiveness from others to whom we have sinned, let down, abused,  ignored, or...

Yet, how many of us start to ask for pardon, but cannot get the words out. For fear of seeming weak, or of admitting a trespass, or even just acknowledging to ourselves that we are not perfect and have harmed another person. - We fool ourselves into thinking that our acts were not all that serious. That our other actions toward that person, more than made up for our transgression. - But ask your child whether or not your outburst or unreasonable criticism was washed away with an act of love. Ask your spouse whether or not you truly gave of yourself to them or if you spent quality time with them. Ask your parents whether or not ignoring them, daily, except for when you needed money or other assistance, healed the pain of their loneliness. What of your friend who was in need, and you chose to golf or dine out instead of spending your valuable time with them? Co-workers of whom you gossiped in order to 'fit in' or to pass by on the way up the corporate ladder... Would they truly not hold a grudge? Not hope for an apology? - Do we apologize to ourselves for not living up to our potential? Do we treat ourselves with any real dignity? Or do we succumb to the humiliation or being used because it is easier than forging our way to a higher sense of self? Do we shut out others for fear of being hurt, without accepting the fact that only with risk can we find treasures? Do we take the easy way out because it is easier than trying and failing? Do we settle for less than we desire or deserve?

Yes, at Rosh Hashanah, there are many promises to re-examine. To re-commit to. - There are many of whom we must seek pardon. - There is finally a time, during our crazy, non-stop days, to just sit. Or stand. And pray. In unison and in silence. - There is a time to ask G_d for another year. A good year. A year of hope and health. A year of prosperity in our trappings, but more importantly, in our hearts and relationships. A year when we finally step off of the curb and cross the street in order to reach our own Promised Land where our goals and dreams are fulfilled. A year when we truly will act upon our promises to G_d, to the best that we actually can.

May you find peace, and hope, and health, and love in the coming year.

Amen.

"WHY SHOULD I CARE?"
 Russell A. Irving

Rosh Hashanah. The New Year.
So, it's a holiday. A High Holy  Day, at that. - But, really... Why should you care?

We live in a mostly secular nation. What is driven by religion is mostly that of Christianity. - Granted, that a minority of schools are closed for the New Year, but what of the other schools? And other societal institutions? - You probably are expected to work that day, and, if you will not, you are expected to request it off. Probably using on eof your precious few vacation days. Most all stores and banks remain open, as will most government offices. Mail will be delivered. Newspapers, also. Other than a 15-second blip showing folks entering a synagogue for services, TV will not cover the specialness, that is Rosh Hashanah.

So, what is there that is so special about this day, that you should care?
For starters, it pays homage to G_d. And, that should be a sufficient reason.

G_d has given us a gift. One of countless ones. He created our world and all that is in it. He imbued man and woman with aspects of His greatness. He has given us free will. And, minds. And, most importantly, perhaps, souls.
He has laid out for us a smorgasbord of opportunities. He has given us His laws, His commandments to be used as a roadmap and a guide for daily living. He has given us tools for shaping our lives. He has provided sources of comfort. And, challenges with which to strengthen ourselves, inwardly, as well as outwardly.

And, each year, as with each day, G_d has given us a way to renew our lives and spirits. He has provided us with a uniformly celebrated day with which to seek Him out. To thank Him for our blessings, whether they seem to be great or small. To thank Him for our very lives and those of our beloveds. - To begin, again, a process of atonement for wasted days and opportunites. For sins commited against Him, against our fellow man, against our world's natural treasures. - He has provided this day as a new beginning. One in which we can renew our inner-selves. Our passions. Our commitments. Our physical being. Our relationships. Our promises to G_d.

This day, Rosh Hashanah, is so very different a day, not because the rest of the world seems to ignore or make little importance of it. But, it is different, and special, because we are Jews. We have a covenant with G_d. Because, if we do not set aside days to be special, then all is simply mundane. And, this world and our lives which G_d has blessed us with are anything but mundane.

So, go forth and rejoice!

Live a holy life.

Give praise to G_d!

Amen.

Please send us your High Holy Day recipes, memories...
(No $ but a by-line and a link to your website/ blog, if you have one.)

ROSH HASHANAH
ARTICLES - MINI-SERMONS - RECIPES - VIDEOS
 Note: Most of the videos require Flash in order to view them.

Thoughts Alone Don't...

Russell A. Irving

Who among us has not heard the saying, 'It's the thought that counts.'?
I must admit that there have been times when I resorted to using that sentence as a way of trying to apologize or lessen the fallout from what I did that did not come out right.

I got to thinking about how some of us approach Rosh Hashanah in this fashion. We intend to do good things during the year, but we often miss the mark. We then plead with G_d to inscribe us for another year in the Book of Life.

Perhaps we should focus more on the deeds that we perform and less on counting on G_d for redemption.

Who is the better Jew? The woman who gives a dollar to a homeless man or the man who constantly says to himself, 'I'll give this man $2 next time that I see him.' Yet, he doesn't  follow through with that action and he knew deep inside that he wouldn't, from the  get-go.

This might seem radical and unecessary, but just as you might have heard that writing down goals helps you to fulfill them, perhaps we should write down the good deeds that we actually do. That way, if you see entries, than you are on the right path. If you are staring at a blank page, then you have work to do.

It's obviously our decision to make. But, think about it.

Either way, Happy Roshashanah ! May G_d bless you!

High Holy Day Stress

Russell A. Irving

Stress. Many or most of us live with it daily. It can take many forms: physical, mental, and spiritual. Although we attend Rosh Hashanah services, in person or on-line, we might not escape them during the service.

We can find our minds suddenly distracted by thoughts of work, family, finances, and health. We can stress out because we can longer read Hebrew as we once had, as children or teens. We are sad because we no longer can stand and sit, repeatedly, as we once had been able to do. We feel guilty for streaming services rather than being a part of the building's congregation. There are so many reasons that we feel great stress at the High Holy Days.

And, perhaps the most important stress for us is that of worrying if G_d will inscribe us for another year of life. That it would be a happy, healthy, and prosperous year.

Please take heart in knowing that you are not alone with these stressors. I believe and hope that G_d does not judge our coming year based upon a single action or thought. Perhaps that we try to remain focused during these High Holy Days will be enough for G_d to judge us kindly.

May G_d bless you and yours. Now and always.

Amen.

We Return Here, Once Again

Russell A. Irving

They say that the definition of 'crazy' is repeating the same behavior and expecting different results. Well, I must be 'crazy', then. Year after year, I promise G_d that I will change. That I will be a better Jew, person, citizen, friend, co-worker, and familyman. Yes, I believe that I have made some progress here. At least I want to believe that I have. But, I also realize that I find myself sitting in the same room, asking G_d to forgive me. Far too often for the same transgressions.

As my life ebbs with the years and health issues of my own, I am frightened. I so badly wish to do the right things. And be the person whom I know that my wonderful parents were. The man whom my family deserves. Yet, thinking of so many wasted years, could I actually change my ways, sufficiently? How would G_d judge me, ultimately?

There is a great sadness as I think of not being there for my family. My insurance is not enough. My pension would probably prove insufficient. Who would help them with daily activities? To hold their hands and hearts when they need someone. To laugh and celebrate successes.

Ultimately, I will choose to make promises once again. Ask, beg, G_d for forgiveness. Hope that 'this time', I will do what I have never done in the ways that I had hoped to do and committed to do.

Why do I bring any of this up? Why would you care? Perhaps it is that I believe we all have similar thoughts, fears, and anxiety. As much as our faith unites us, our trepidations do, as well. When we gather to hear the beckoning of the shofar, to recite the Avenu Malkenu, to sing the songs that we have heard since we were children, we are simultaneously individuals and a community under G_d. We find solace, strength, and humility as a people. Strength is drawn from this sense of community even if we are joining services via streaming.

We might not fulfill all that we anticipate and promise, but I believe that G_d understands. That if there is a sense of sincerity in our spoken and silent prayers, G_d will listen. And, hopefully, grant us one more year of life.

May G_d grant you and yours, health, happiness, and prosperity, while allowing you to be written for another year, in the Book of Life.

Amen.

Community: In-Person or Online

Rosh Hashanah is one of 2 Jewish holidays, sadly enough, when most Jews (at least American Jews) will attend services. It is for deeply religious reasons. And, although we might not wish to admit it, we look forward to seeing others whom we do not cross paths with during the rest of the year. Embarassingly, it  is a time for some people to be able to show off their fineries or new spouses and children. Some folks like to brag about their life or those of their children and grandchildren.

For many of us, these services provide us with a sense of community. An opportunity to be with other Jews. A time when we can mourn losses in the comforting arms of others who share common experiences. It can be moments when we do not feel so isolated and insignificant in numbers, as a Jew living in a non-Jewish world.

However, there are some of us... many of us who for reasons of health, or money to pay temple dues, or because there are not enough Jews in their city to support a synagogue, or simply because they are working or visiting in a foreign land, wish to be a part of a community, sharing services.

The internet has offered, at long last, a viable solution for these otherwise isolated brethern. So many synagogues, worldwide stream their services on the Web or broadcast them on radio/TV/telephone.

As someone who for a variety of reasons finds myself joining onlione services, this has been a very welcomed change in what being a part of a 'community' means. Some services allow for chatting with others online. Others invite us becoming a paid and perhaps a 'physical' member of their congregation. Many simply wish to know that they made a positive difference in your life.
As diverse as the congregations that you have in your city/town are, so are those who provide streaming High Holy Day services. There are also those oversea congregations who offer online opportunities to worship. You might find them spiritual and of special interest.

I invite those of youi who cannot physically attend services this year, to check out the many streaming/broadcasted ones. A listing can be found at http://www.jewsontheweb.com/HighHolyDay%20OnLineServices.htm .
Please share this directory with others.

By the way... Even if you do attend a service in person, check out these other ones. With so many time zones involved, you can hopefully 'attend' one ofr more of them.

L'Shana Tova!

The Flood (Of Emotions and None?)

  Embarassed. Ashamed. A bit frightened.
     This year, as so many years past, has been one of great health problems. For myself and more importantly, my precious family. I found myself the 'victim' of an employers' lies and being taken advantage of. Finances have continued to be a struggle.

Yet, through all of this, I have maintained my faith in G_d. But too many times, I found myself angry at Him. As if He micro-managed our lives. And, why not think so, for all of the times that our prayers seemed to be answered?

So, it is, that after so long a time of this, there often is a sense of numbness. Of Anger, sorrow, pain, and more. Emotions that can come in a flood or a slow trickle.

Why would I bare my soul this way? And especially at Rosh Hashanah? I do so because I know that I am not alone. Because I know that this can happen to anyone. And, because it is at the High Holy Days when we ask G_d to inscribe us for a year in the Book of Life. That it might be a good year. For us, our loved ones, our country, and the world.

When we whisper or shout the Avinu Malkeinu, we must do so from a place of emotions however deep that well might be. Or how shallow a pond they are in.

I strongly believe that G_d does not micro-manage our lives. But that He does in fact listen. That He will intercede from time-to-time, if only to inspire us. And to give us strength.

I also know that there is always, always someone in worse pain, health, loneliness, poverty, emptiness, and sorrow than we are. And while this knowledge does not in and of itself resolve our issues, it does give us a sense of our blessings. And that sense can lead to better emotions. More productive actions. Better health.

So, when we say the Avinu Malkeinu and other prayers, this Rosh Hashanah, try to do so with feelings. Of faith and of hope.

Amen.

Yes, I Failed
 Russell A. Irving

I failed at being perfect or even close to it! I confess that.
And, on Rosh Hashanah, I know that G_d evaluates my life during this past year and He decides what my fate should be in the year to come.

I know that it is too late to undo what wrongs I have committed, what words should have remained in my mouth, what actions slighted others, and how I gave the wrong things my attention, while ignoring what deserved the best parts of me.

I throw myself on G_d's mercy. I once again promise to do better: to be a better person, father, husband, member of society, and Jew.

G_d, I believe, knows how flawed we humans can be. But I also believe that he can look into our hearts and minds and determine whether or not we tried to 'pass' this year gone by.
I think... I hope, that he gives out an 'A for Effort', to those who were not complacent. Even a 'B', or a passing grade of 'C' would be nice!

No, I am not attempting to be flippant. I am hoping to share my belief that G_d does not expect perfection. That while results do count, so do the motivations behind our actions, our sense of regret and remorse, and our drive to do better 'next time'.

As school teachers can discern the sincere student who struggles to get a 'C' from the slacker whose 'C' comes merely from not caring to do more than the minimum required of them, I think that G_d evaluates us, fairly.

May each year, you strive a little more, accomplish something new and special, and never lose sight of G_d's love and fair judgement.

May you and yours be granted a 'New Beginning', this New Year.
 One inscribed in the Book of Life.
 And, may you be blessed by the hand of G_d.

Amen.

Looking Back, While Seeking The Future
Russell A. Irving

Every year, I pause and ponder about my writings here, during these precious and sacred High Holy Days.

I caught myself, once again, during the evening service, simultaneously seeing myself as a young man, still, and as the senior citizen who I now am, chronologically.

I wondered if during these many years if I had truly become a better, more mature, devout, and good person, husband, father, brother, citizen, and Jew. Especially where G_d has seen fit to bless me, year after year, with yet another opportunity to be 'a better me'.
Reluctantly, I must confess, aloud, that I have not become all that I should and could have. As when we confess our sins to G_d before the open Ark, I confess to you, that I still have a long way to go.

Whether or not G_d sees fit to bless me with another opportunity to make amends, create realities out of dreams, to gently hold the hearts of my loved ones, in such a fashion that they truly feel the depths and breadth of my love for them... I know that I have been given many opportunities.

Perhaps this is why many of us simultaneously look forward with anticipation and a bit of dread when Rosh Hashanah comes. It can remind us of the many times when G_d granted us another year in the Book of Life and we did not quite live up to the promises and expectations.

But, that is part of the wonder of G_d! He looks into our heart and seeks that glimmer of goodness, repentance, and humility. When He sees them, He often grants us that other year. One more opportunity to live up to His and our hopes for our potential to become actualized.

May you and I no longer have a sense of dread about the New Year.
|Instead, let us thank G_d for seeing within us that spark which is perhaps best described as our 'being made in G_d's image'.
May we focus on the many gifts that we do have. Including loved ones, the Jewish community, our worldly brethern, and, of course, G_d's presence in our daily lives.

L'Shanah Tova! - May G_d bless and keep you. This year and forevermore.

Amen.

Tizke l'shannim rabbot LEKACH
(HONEY CAKE FOR ROSH HASHANA)

Rabbi Gershon Steinberg-Caudill
ecorebbe@earthlink.net

* 4 eggs * 1 cup brown sugar * 1/2 cup strong coffee * 2 Tbsp oil * 1 cup honey * 3 1/2 cups flour * 1/4 tsp salt * 1 1/2 tsp baking powder * 1 tsp baking soda * 1 tsp cinnamon * 1 tsp allspice * 3/4 cup blanched almonds * 3/4 cup mixed candied fruit * 3 Tbsp brandy

Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine cooled coffee, oil and honey and blend into egg mixture. Combine flour, salt, spices, baking powder and soda. Sift together. Mix with fruit and nuts. Gradually add flour-fruit-nut mixture to the egg-sugar combination and stir well to blend, adding the brandy when the batter has been thoroughly mixed. Grease and flour a large loaf pan or two small ones. Pour cake mixture into pans. Bake at 325 F for 45-60 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Invert pan on a cake rack until cool. Then remove carefully.

Of A Year We Have Not Seen As It Truly Was
Russell A. Irving

Look around.
No, not at your physical surroundings. But at your spiritual self's. Look at your body in which your soul resides. Look at your choices. Some made consciously. Others, simply the result of a reflexive action. Occasionally, choices were thrust upon you.

Some of you might look back upon this past year, and those that preceded it, with great joy and satisfaction. You landed the job that you always wanted. You have wealth. Friends, galore. A terrific spouse and children. Health is as abundant as your 401K's returns. - In fact, you know that every time you might have faced a severe crisis, somehow you avoided it. Perhaps due to deft moves on your part. Perhaps, you wonder, if they might have been due to G_d's intervention.
Regardless, you know that life is beautiful. It's an amusement park ride that 'will never end'.

Then, there are others who have endured so, so many years of strife. - Every time that you dared to let yourself believe that the worst was over, another tsunami swept you away from shore, just as you were about to grab the brass ring from that unexpected merry-go-round. - And, life has been unexpected. At least not what you prayed so very hard for. - You have had your insides torn apart so many times, that the wounds have never healed, properly. The scars have changed your attitudes. And, why wouldn't and shouldn't they? - You wonder why G_d has 'abandoned' you. You know that you are a good person. You watch the assholes of the world seem to get a 'free pass'. Your eyes turn green when you see others who are doing so well. While you believe jealousy is wrong, you cannot help your feelings. - You wonder how those Biblical women and men stayed true to a belief in the goodness of others, the power and love of G_d, and a vision of the tomorrows that they would never live on this earth to see, come to pass.

You see your life passing, slipping away. Whether through health, age, economic woes, and... You are angry. You want to shout! You really no longer care what others think.
Beneath your anger lies such incredible pain. You always came across as strong, because you never wanted to be hurt. Especially, as badly as some people in your life have hurt you. (Intentionally or otherwise. Doesn't matter to you, now, because 'pain' is pain, regardless of the motivations that let to it.)

What we fail to see, through our inner tears and excruciating pain in our heart, is that G_d has been with us. That we have accomplished so very much in life.

So many authors have pondered the question of: What would my life have been if I chose to go down another path?
The reality is that you might have been on a road not unlike one leading to the Garden of Eden. Or, you might have been traipsing through fields of golden holly, only to have come across a deep precipice, far too late to avoid a deadly drop off it, plunging to our physical, emotional, or spiritual death.

What is known is that your life has made a difference to others around you. Your acts of unselfish kindness and charity have touched souls in ways that you will probably never know. Ultimately, those people have treated others differently. If only subtly, because of you.

Perhaps, you did not become a lawyer, or nurse, or doctor, or... But you became something better. Something different. Perhaps G_d led you to become the best mother that children could experience. Perhaps you touched the soul of your spouse in ways that words would never be sufficient to express. Perhaps the careers that you did choose, even if out of necessity, made you a better person, while simultaneously allowing you to do something needed by others.

I choose to believe that G_d is benevolent, at  His essence.
That He can and does, periodically, intervene in our lives.

But, as with so much of life, we tend to have thrown away rose-colored glasses and substituted them with 'shades' so dark that almost no stray beam of light can pass through.
We forget that G_d created the flowers that you planted. Regardless of how long they lasted. Regardless of the rain and wind and frost that killed them before you ready to see them go... G_d did give you those days, however brief, to see the fruits of your labor and His love for you.

My late Dad used to tell us about the man who cried because he had no shoes, until he met the man who had no feet. - In essence, there is always someone worse off than you. But you cry out through your pain, that it doesn't matter! That your pain and suffering is so unbearable. And, if you have to endure watching loved ones suffer, you find your screams cannot escape your lips. For nothing would express what you feel. But, you must focus on every single moment of blessings. Of  the smile or kind word, or touch that came to us, unselfishly, to express a 'thank you', for blessing their life, in some way.

Regrets can eat us alive, if we allow them to.
But, to what purpose? The past is past.
So, as I circle back to a message about the year that is ending and the year that is to be...

I ask you to indulge an old man. One who has seen and experienced so much heartache in his life. But, a man who has known the blessing of an incredible wife, wonderful children, and sometimes small, but powerful glimpses of Heaven on earth...

I ask you to show G_d and yourself, that while your life might not have been what you expected or planned for, that no life, especially yours, is ever a waste! That when G_d opens the gates for a new year and invites us to enter through them... That you will face new choices, new opportunities, new struggles, and new unknowns. But, G_d loves you enough to see you through it all. Cradling your soul in His hands.

That those family and friends and strangers, who are there with and for you, deserve to be seen for whom they are: Similarly fragile beings who, daily, do their best.

For those of you who have experienced what appears to be a life full of blessings, be certain to treasure those moments.
Be aware that life can change in a single moment. That the serpent from the Garden of Eden, might appear. And, your stocks tumble, your spouse have an affair, cancer strikes your body...
Or, know that your blessings could continue until your passing.
But, know that there are always others who struggle, and cry, and carry on while feeling numb, through it all.
As G_d has chosen to be charitable towards you, please be charitable toward those who are less fortunate than you.

Each and every Rosh Hashanah, G_d gives us permission to do what we could, throughout the year... To reflect. To smile, To cry. To count whatever blessings that we might have.
To seek forgiveness from those whom we have wronged. To ask Him to allow us and our loved ones to be inscribed in the Book of Life..

We can choose to look at the year gone by with regret, sorrow, and anger. Or, we can choose to know that we have touched the life of at least one other soul. That we can recognize that while some dreams never came true, others did. And, that these made an impression in this world for which we will always be remembered, on some level.

For better or worse, G_d granted us a year of life. However it was spent, the past is the past.
G_d allows us to seek His forgiveness, His love, and hopefully, His blessing to live another year.

I believe, in my heart, through my own pain and regrets, that G_d has blessed me. That despite some stumbling, I have tried to be the best person whom I could have been. And, I look forward to having another year in which to make a lasting impression, to fulfill dreams, to make my family proud and happy with their lives. and to fulfill an ancient blessing: May you live your life, so that no one will believe it when they are told of your passing.

L'Shanah Tova! - May G_d bless and keep you. This year and forevermore.

Amen.

 www.youtube.com/v/kkm3TPycZlY?hl=en_US
 

Not Simply 'Another Year'
 Russell A. Irving
 

Another year.
Another collection of promises that went unfulfilled. Another set of regrets for actions planned, but not implemented.
Another tsunami of events out of our control.
Another relationship which failed to materialize as hoped for, as planned.

Here we are.

Part of a congregation sharing common pain. Disappointments. Regrets. Resentments. And...

Here we are.

Asking for G_d's blessings. His forgiveness. His understanding. His comfort. His willingness to inscribe us in the Book of Life for another year.

How many of us look forward to this gift? This blessing of the opportunity to renew our spirit, our life, our relationships?

Where is the utter joy that should accompany our recognition of life's uncertainty?

Why do we not realize that we cannot unring any bells or relive days, gone by? For the opportunities that await us? Why don't we psych ourselves up for G_d's love?

The human spirit can overcome so much when we try to do so.

This is not simply 'Another year'. And we do have the power within us to accept G_d's blessings with open hands and hearts.

This Rosh Hashanah. These Days of Awe and remembrance. May you look past your troubles, your pain, and... Embrace G_d's love. The gift of free will. And, make this year, not simply 'Another year', to muddle through.

May G_d bless you. And inscribe you in the Book of Life, so that you may 'live' the best that you can and deserve.

Amen.

A Short Service for Selichot

By Rachel Barenblat

STARTING OVER
Russell A. Irving

Recession. Unemployment. Foreclosure. Bankruptcy.  -- All words which we have heard, far too often, these days.
They bring with them, other words: Fear. Loss of identity. Stress. Divorce. Alcohol, drug, and physical abuse. Suicide. Desperation. Homelessness. Starting over.

It is the last 2 words, 'Starting over', which I wish to speak to. -- For Rosh Hashanah is largely about, 'Starting over'.
Each year, at this time, we come together as a congregation, formally at a temple or synagogue. Or, simply in the larger sense of 'community', by calling upon those whom we know share our heritage. And, we speak and pray of the year that has passed. And, of the year to come, as we 'Start over', with G_d's blessings.

Each year, we are given a new opportunity to begin our lives again. Knowing now what we did not know the day before... the year before.
Granted, for some of us, our lives had changed due to the nation's economic woes. In ways, perhaps, only dreamt of in fleeting nightmares. Yet, we all were affected.
It is that common experience that we can hold onto and share with others, knowing that they understand on some level.

And, as we share stories of our current life, someone in our close-knit or global community is apt to remember other times of great economic upheaval. And, how at those times, there was a fear that the world was coming to an end. All the while that misery appeared endless. And, yet, G_d allowed those in the middle of the tumult to 'Start over'.

Rosh Hashanah is not only the time when we ask G_d to inscribe us for another year in the Book of Life. Or, for a good year. Or, even a healthy year. It is a reminder that whatever comes our way, there is hope that we can always 'Start over', with G_d's blessing. That every day is an opportunity to renew our lives, our spirit, our faith.

May this very difficult year that has passed, which might have witnessed us robbed of our finances, not rob us of our hope and faith that G_d will allow us to 'Start over.'

Amen.

NO ONE IS SEEING YOU?
Russell A. Irving

Look around you.
How much change do you see in your daily life, when compared with last year?

You promised yourself, your family, friends, co-workers, and even G_d, that you would change. Some of you were even very specific as to what the changes would be.

So, what happened?
Yes, we can say that 'life happened' and changed your world. But, while that might be true, did you simply believe, somewhere deep inside, that no one was really looking? Really knew about your plans. And, perhaps, most importantly, did you believe that G_d was not truly watching you? Did you believe that He had much more 'important matters' with which to attend?

Yet, isn't it strange how we believe that we have G_d's attention at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Precisely when we need to beseech Him to inscribe us and our loved ones in the Book of Life?

The fact is that G_d is always aware of our lives. So, that it is ultimately up to you to live up to your commitments to G_d. To at least make a sincere and ongoing effort to be a better person, a better Jew. Otherwise, do you truly have a right to complain when your prayers appear to go unanswered?

May you be sincere and honest in your prayers, thanks, and hopes. And, may you and yours be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Amen.

"A MISPLACED WHY"
Russell A. Irving

Shalom!

As we face the prospect of a New Year, while we witness last year's doorway closed and sealed, 'WHY' is an all-too-often common question.

'WHY' were our blessings not greater? - 'WHY' our loved ones moved away, divorced us, became seriously ill, or passed-on. - 'WHY' we lost our job, was passed-over for a promotion, or our business failed. - 'WHY' our savings evaporated along with the stock market's stability. - 'WHY' our debt far outweighs our assets. - 'WHY' the price of life's necessities require us to make difficult, and even truly painful choices. - 'WHY' our life was not more fulfilling, challenging, or happy. - 'WHY' so many bad things always seem to happen to us.
And, finally, 'WHY' G_d does not seem to hear or answer our fervent prayers.

Any of these questions are certainly worth asking. Yet, far too much time is spent on them, when, instead, we should be asking a different set of 'WHY' questions.

'WHY' did we push our loved ones away, or deny them the love and respect that they deserved? - 'WHY' did we not help loved ones to seek and follow, necessary medical advice? Or, spend more time with them, as their life's candle's flame was slowly burning-out? - Or what we did to fall out of favor with our employer. Or, 'WHY' we believed ourselves to be invaluable and irreplaceable on the job. Or, 'WHY' we only plodded along, doing the minimum required at work. Or, 'WHY' we cheated our customers or treated them rudely. - 'WHY' we spent lavishly or saved so little money. 'WHY' we never prepared for hard economic times. - 'WHY' we worked so much and played so little. 'WHY' we did not do volunteer work, take stimulating classes, or begin a hobby. - 'WHY' we focus so much on the negative that happens in our lives. Or, on envying others. Or, not having empathy for the plights of our neighbors, co-workers, and fellow citizens of the world. - 'WHY' we do not take better care of the earth, this enormous place filled with wonder, that G_d has blessed us with.  
And, 'WHY' we did not actively and frequently seek out G_d, especialy during happy, healthy, and prosperous times. - 'WHY' we assume that G_d neither listens to or cares for us, simply because our prayers were not answered according to our wishes or expectations. - 'WHY' during the High Holy Days, we plead our case, promise G_d so much, and look forward to a year of blessings, only to return to our often frivolous wasting of our blessing to be a part of the New Year.

This Rosh Hashanah, may we stop asking the wrong questions and, instead, focus on the awesome responsibilities and magnificent blessings, which G_d bestows upon us, His Children.
May we ask the correct questions and live up to the challenge of providing many of the correct answers.

May we all be blessed and inscribed for another year, in the Book of Life.

Amen

A NEW BEGINNING, A NEW YEAR
Russell A. Irving 

Calamaties befall us, all.
Cancer. The death of a child. Chronic pain. Loss of income. Loss of a spouse to death or divorce. House fires. Bankruptcy. And so many more tragic events...

These are calamties of great magnitude. Each bringing with it a rippling effect.
Cancer can drain not only your soul, but your income, your energy to participate in family matters or work. Your caregivers and loved ones can be tested, as they have never been tested before.
Your son dies in a car crash, not of his doing. The hole inside of you makes you one of the 'living dead'. Your other children try to get comfort from you, in vain, because you have nothing to give.
When your spouse leaves you for another, depression often sinks in... Affecting your work and other relationships.
Loss of income often brings a loss of self-worth, as well as a dependency upon others for 'just the basics' of life.
A hurricane destroys your home, taking with it, every tangible vestige of your life's history.

Yes, each calamity brings not only great stress for you, but most certainly ripples which threaten the well-being of those around us. Those whom we love.
Sometimes, we wonder whether or not Job had anything on us. Our heads and spirit barely stay above water. And our ability to tread that 'water of life' diminishes with each passing day.

Somehow, we survive. Somehow, we get up and push onward. Some days with a massive effort. Some days, void of emotion. Some days, just going through the motions. - But, we do survive.
My father, G_d rest his soul, used to say that any day, when he rose from bed and his head was higher than his feet were, had to be at least an 'okay day'
Do you tell yourself that when you rise? Perhaps you should. Perhaps it will help to make  the day's struggles seem less burdensome.

G_d provides us with inner strength and survival tools which we often underestimate or simply ignore.
The human spirit is blessed with an innate desire to exist. A desire to reach out and explore G_d's universe, if only the microcosm that is our community, or even only our own backyard. - To tap this strength, we might need to reach out to our neighbors. But haven't Jews always reached out in times of need? Didn't it take families and neighbors joining together, to build the Land of Milk and Honey, Israel, with G_d's blessings? Didn't it take Jew helping Jew in the Nazi deathcamps, to survive each horrific day and endless night? And didn't it take the bravery and efforts of Jew and Gentile, alike, to end the atrocities of those deathcamps?

G_d gives us tools with which to survive our daily calamaties, be they large or small.
Obviously, G_d has blessed us with the Torah. Within it's words are ideas, feelings, and truths. Words to inspire, guide, and even warn us.

G_d has given us minds. Minds which we all too seldom tap into sufficiently, or stretch to new limits.

G_d has blessed us with a world filled with wonders. Many of which we can use to get by, day by day. - Trite as it might sound, G_d has given us the sun which comes up, daily. Even after it's light is hidden from view by clouds or an eclipse. - We can see flowers beaten down by a harsh rain or a cold winter, only to bloom again.
G_d has filled our world with many examples of adversity being overcome. Of new beginnings. New rays of hope.

Yes, G_d promises each one of us, a new beginning, a New Year.
Whether it is with Him, after our death, or here in His garden, under His watchful eyes.

Rosh Hashanah represents a 'New Beginning'. - But as with any gift, G_d leaves it up to us to make the most of it.

Some calamaties are of our own doing.
We don't buckle-up, or we drive drunk. - We don't give our best to our employer, who then lays us off. - We take our spouse for granted. - We ignore our children's silent cries for attention or help. - We make mistakes and do not bother trying to correct them. - We slight those around us. 

Some calamties are not in our control. But what we do in their aftermath, greatly, is, up to us.

As we enter this New Year, may we tap into G_d's words, study the Torah, learn from our surroundings and neighbors, and, most of all, reaffirm our bond with the Almighty.

May you and yours be granted a 'New Beginning', this New Year.
One inscribed in the Book of Life.
And, may you be blessed by the hand of G_d.

Amen.