Dear Reader, Growing up, my mother was the center of Jewish life in our home. She was the keeper of our family traditions — from the special recipes that only came out during the High Holidays to the careful way she taught me to observe the holidays. Now, as a mother myself, teaching my own children the traditions of this season, I think about my mother often. How would she feel about the Jewish home I’ve created? How am I honoring her memory, her legacy, in the way I bring her values and history to the next generation of our family? During the Days of Awe, Jewish tradition tells us to slow down, reflect, and do the hard work of looking back at the year that ended as we realign ourselves for the year to come. For me, it’s a time to think about the people who made me who I am today, and to ask myself how I’m honoring their legacies — and how I can ensure that the causes they cared about continue to thrive. |
May we all continue to reflect and to grow in this season, and to honor those who came before us in our lives and our values. In gratitude, |
