This document discusses the meaning and traditions of Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot in Judaism. It reflects on how the holidays represent cycles of life, change, and God's presence. It shares personal memories and experiences celebrating the holidays with family, from giving birth near Rosh Hashanah to visiting an ailing mother in the nursing home and bringing her apples and honey. It expresses hope that the new nephews joining the family celebration this year will bring joy and blessing.

1. I love the ideathatthe round challahwe have onRosh Hashanahrepresentshow the yeargoesroundin
a circle. There are endingsthatbringnew beginningsandwe neverstoplearningfromthe changeslife
brings. Thenwe observe YomKippur,a time of reflectiononourselvesandourlivesandworkingon
beingbetter. Justlike the shofar atthe endof Yom Kippur,Sukkotcomestoawakenus,butthistime
withour sensesandsurroundings. AsIcelebrate Sukkotitbringsimagesof the circle of life and the
changingseasons. We thinkof the harvestof spring,new growthandvegetablestosupportourbodies,
newgueststofill ourSukkahand art from yourchildrentoadd to yourSukkah. The colorful leavesand
gourdesremindusof autumnand that change can be a beautiful time. We eatand sleepinthe Sukkah
to rememberhowGodgave the Jewishpeopletentstoshelterthematnightandfromthe cold
weather.. We are remindedthatevenwhenlife getsstormyGodspresence isthere asourSukkah
withstands the wind,rainandevensnow inColorado. Thismayfeel likeacoldwinterbutwe are not
alone.
The start of the JewishnewyearandSukkothasso muchmeaningtome of hope and newness. I
rememberpreparingforourtwinsbrisandbabynaming that were due close toRosh Hashanah. We
were suchplannersandworriedhowwe wouldarrange itaroundthe holidays. Mybeautiful Benand
Arielle were bornfourweeksearlyandalthoughtheywererelativelyhealthytheyspentsome time in
the NICU. We were able tocelebrate withafriendsandfamilyinourcozySukkah. The atmosphere felt
like summerfilledwiththe warmthof the sunlightthroughthe (skach?) roof andmymother’ssmile as
she heldmydaughter. Our sukkahwassurroundedbylove andnewness.
Nowas the newyearhas startedI thinkof my mom again. She alwaysputso much thoughtand
enjoymentincelebratingthe holidaysforourfamilyandextendedaswe grew. ThisRoshHashanah felt
incomplete asshe wasunable tomake itto our familymeal. My childrenandI visitedheratthe nursing
home where she wasfrail andbedridden. Iwas notgoingto bringup Rosh Hashanahthinkingitwould
saddenher. Yet whenIarrivedthe nurse pointedoutthe applesandhoneyshe hadleftforher. My
childrensharedabouttheirlivesandmymomresponded. Ihesitantlyaskedherif she wouldlike and
apple withhoneyforRoshHashanah. She noddedandheldthe applesandfedthemto her. I hope we
had broughthersome sweetnessthatday.
Everyyearwe add more decorationsthatour childrenhave made toour Sukkah. Andthisyearwe
have my twonewnephewsfrommysisterandbrothertojoinus. Theyare notquite a yearold andthe
joyand hope theybringus will be sucha blessing.
We make many resolutionsandexpectationsforthe new yearandmaybe disappointedinthe
outcome. Life can getmundane andstressful,butwe shouldtake time tobe aware andawakenour
sensesasthe shofarawakensus. See the beautyinthe nature aroundus andin yourfamily. Taste a
newfruitonSukkotand savor foodall yearlong. Listento the laughter. Smell the Etrog and take a
momenttobreath