AT this time of upheaval in the Middle East, uncertainty in Israel and deepening divisiveness here at home, I pray for understanding, coexistence and peace. I pray that we learn to listen to each other with consideration and respect, and work together to create harmony in the world.
Shana Goldberg, IJN website editor
AS we approach the High Holidays, we ask Hashem to bless us all with mazel, health and happiness and most importantly to inscribe us in the book of life. In addition, we pray for all those who have suffered economically in the past year and the many families who have been adversely affected.
We also pray for peace in Israel. While we realize that Israel faces enormous dangers and risks in the year ahead, we maintain faith that Hashem will continue to protect and bless his people.
Perhaps the biggest lesson to remember is to realize how fortunate each of us truly is. I wish a happy and healthy New Year to the entire community and to my loving family Mani, Dylan, Mom, Stuart, and all my family.
Lori Aron, advertising executive
I LOOK at our world and see so much that causes suffering, pain and despair. But then I take a second look at my family, friends and community and know that it is within these smaller circles that I will find comfort, strength and the inspiration to make a difference.
Within these circles, I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for the life I have and the opportunities I can create to effect change, encourage tolerance and promote understanding and compassion.
I wish all of you a year of good health, personal fulfillment, loving relationships and blessings. May whatever challenges you face be tempered by the love and support of your family, friends and community and may you continue to find strength and inspiration in Jewish wisdom and tradition.
Amy Hirshberg Lederman, columnist “Reflections“
TEN years ago as we were preparing our Rosh Hashanah 5762 edition, the unthinkable happened. It was Sept. 11, 2001. It was production day for this section of our huge holiday edition. We decided to postpone the annual IJN staff prayers on the editorial page by one week so that two editorials, The face of evil, and The solution, could help our readers (and perhaps editorial writers) get some kind of grip on the tragic, scary events of 9/11.
The following week, in my editorial page prayer, I asked G-d, Is what happened last week a message from You? If so, please grant us the ability to understand Your message, and grant us the wisdom to respond to Your message is a way that will ultimately improve the lot of humanity.
Ten years later, I am not so sure we totally understand what the message may have been, but I do think weve been able to delineate between good and evil and alter our lifestyles and thought processes to respond to those differences. I also think that 9/11 resulted in a more patriotic, yet more polarized and politically charged America.
As we approach Rosh Hashanah 5772, I thank G-d that we are still here, that America has been spared any further attacks and that we are able to look to the future with hope for a better world.
Larry Hankin, associate editor
As we start the New Year I hope and pray that Hashem will watch over all of mankind.
We hear and experience so many troubling events, and the news is always so grim . . . we need to work harder and help those who need our help.
We need to work aggressively on helping America get back to being the world leader and economic powerhouse that we have always been.
I hope and pray that Israel will be a bright light for the world and that the world leaders understand that Israels fight against terrorism is a fight for all us.
I hope that 5772 will be the year that mankind learns to live with each other in peace and harmony.
Bernie Papper, advertising executive
IN May of 2009, Ruth Myers asked three close friends to meet her for lunch at the Bagel Deli. After the waiter took our orders, Ruthie held her coffee with impeccably steady hands and announced, I have terminal leukemia. When she saw our reaction, she smiled. Im not dead yet!
Later, as I walked Ruthie to her car, I needed to understand why she accepted her death sentence so calmly. Im 77, she said. I have had the most incredible life. Ive been blessed with wonderful children, grandchildren, friends; Ive done everything Ive ever wanted.
Im ready.
Over the next year and 10 months, I continually asked her to help me learn to confront death, which terrifies me.
But Ruthie, always so wise and pragmatic, never responded to my ardent question for it was the wrong one.
Ruth died on March 15, 2011. A few days later, her laughter tapped me on the shoulder: Andrea, forget about learning how to die. You need to learn how to live!
Thank you, Ruthie. I get it now.
May we all discover astonishing truths in our friendships, and the strength to survive our teachers.
Le-Shana Tova.
Andrea Jacobs, senior writer
5772. A New Year A New Beginning. This Day is the beginning of Your work (i.e. creation; musaf prayer on Rosh Hashanah).
Each Rosh Hashanah marks a new beginning, with a new menu of blessings for the coming year. But is it really the beginning of creation? After all, Rosh Hashanah celebrates the birthday of mankind.?This was on the 6th day of creation. Not the first day. So, why are we calling it the beginning of G-ds work? Because, it was when Adam and Eve were created that G-ds objective and purpose really began.
According to Kabbalah, Adam upon creation proclaimed to all the created beings, Let us bow down to G-d, who made us. Adam and Eve reflected the pinnacle of creation. Indeed,the beginning had now begun.
G-d made us partners in creation. G-d created the heavens, the earth, the plants, the animals, stars that sparkle, fish that swim and birds that fly. But it is when mankind entered the world that life began. G-d created the world for you and me. So, we can make the world a better world.
We can take a world of darkness, and replace it with light.?We can take divisiveness and strife, and convert them into unity and harmony. All it takes is one more good deed, one more Shabbos candle, one more mitzvah.We can change the world. For good.
And Moshiach will come. We will have peace and tranquility and live in Israel every square inch of it.
May we be inscribed in the book of life, the book of health, and the book of inner happiness. May G-d bless you all in the coming year.?A New Year A New Beginning.
Rabbi Yisroel Engel and Rabbi Shloime Engel, columnists “Dear Tzviling“
MAY we all enjoy good health, happiness and the blessings of the L-rd at this special time of the year. Every good wish to all of you. Le-Shana Tova!
Miriam Goldberg, editor and publisher
IN recovery alcoholics speak of being in recovery even years after theyve turned around. Because of the depths of the fall, the rise becomes lifelong. I look forward to seeing others and myself becoming recovering Jews.
Because of the exile, weve fallen away from the holiness of the Land of Israel, and of the taharah, the purification, once available there. And only there.
Because of the impact of corrosives around us lust, jealousy, vainglory weve fallen away from the deep humanity that the Torah outlines for us.
Because of the routine generations old of skimming over the surface of the Torah, weve fallen away from the crown jewel of existential closeness to G-d: Shabbos.
Let us become recovering Jews. Seeing the fall. Turning around. Rising up. Keeping the discipline. Taking joy in the triumph. And conveying its depth and beauty to others.
In Shabbos is the secret of redemption.
A blessed New Year to all.
Rabbi Hillel Goldberg, executive editor
GEN and I, our children, grandchildren and great-grandchild wish everybody happy holidays, and pray that this New Year brings everybody health and happiness, and all that accompanies it.
Gerald Mellman, sports editor
Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News
