As the sun sets on Wednesday evening we will begin 5772 and with it our holiest days, an annual intense period of self examination and renewal.

This has been a hard year for our nation and the Jewish People. Our nation is politically divided, the country not nearly recovered from the deep economic downturn of 2008-2009 seems poised to head into another recession. Major policy issues bring more division with no seeming way forward. There is work to be done everywhere we turn.

In the Middle East the Arab Spring with its hopes for personal freedom, enlightenment and democracy also brings with it the dangers of wanton sectarian violence and a renewed anti Israel vehemence. Israel itself is at a crossroads like almost no time in its history. The Palestinian leadership talks peace but will not sit and negotiate and the current government of Israel is unable to commit itself to doggedly pursuing a policy that will lead to a Two State Solution. The fear of a nuclear Iran hovers over the entire horizon.

We are Jews and if there is one overriding message of this season it is that Jews do not despair. We are a small, yet strong and determined people who transform realistic assessments into inspirational hopes. That is our purpose in history--our sacred gift. The crises of this moment will not deter us from our path.

As you all know, for me, Israel, despite the challenges and the heartache is itself a symbol of hope-- a miracle in our time.

In these last days before the holidays begin, I invite you to watch this video link from Israel. Celebrate 5772 and feel the vitality, energy, and hope of Israel's next generation of leaders.

Shannah Tovah! 

Holy Days

Meir Shalev, in his brilliant book Beginnings: The First Love, the First Hate, the First Dream… Reflections on the Bible’s Intriguing Firsts suggests that self forgiveness is perhaps even more difficult than forgiveness by the injured party. Commenting on the biblical tale of Esau and Jacob he writes, “The two stories prove that someone who has injured his fellow man with brutality or deception thinks that everyone acts that way. Thus Esau… returned from his meeting with his brother with his heart pure and whole, whereas Jacob continued to suffer fear and suspicion.”

And of Joseph he writes, “Joseph cried and got emotional and even claimed that the evil perpetrated by his brothers was planned from above to lead to a happy ending. But the brothers remained the same violent and hateful shepherds who threw him in the pit, and they never stopped being afraid.”

Shalev thus raises the bar for the challenge our approaching holy days bring to each of us. We are commanded to seek forgiveness and we are commanded to forgive. There are steps we follow to make our apologies to others—acknowledging our actions, acknowledging the pain we wrought, trying to make restitution, seeking forgiveness etc.

This question is how do we make it right with ourselves? This is more than not committing the same offense again. How do we make ourselves whole after causing hurt to others? Perhaps this is one reason that these days of soul searching come annually. It is an ongoing process—part of the cycle of growth—forgetting, forgiving and renewal.

The good people at Behrman House asked me to post a blog on their web site reflecting my thinking on Jewish education. I have written such a piece and would like to direct you to it. http://www.behrmanhouse.com/blog/what-jewish-education-should-do

In this piece I make reference to David Brooks wonderful book The Social Animal, and how I believe it applies to the requirements of Jewish education today. The phrase is “character education.” How do we live it, embody it in the Jewish educational setting?