I am not about to give give you a crash course in the Jewish New Year, I am about to share my learning experience in temple this past Tuesday.

Happy New Year

Let me start with a little history. For as long as I can remember, I have been ringing in the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, with lots of food and long services at temple. I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve been excused from this ritual in my 34 years. And trust me, it isn’t from lack of trying. Let’s see…chicken pox, twice while away at college, and doctor ordered bed rest with my first pregnancy. Aside from the excused absence from school, I grew up dreading the Jewish holidays. Particularly the High Holy days. Getting dressed up, spending time with extended family and sitting in temple listening to a mixture of Hebrew and English, both of which made little sense to me. Not my idea of a good time.

However, as an adult (I would say I entered adulthood, and I use the term loosely, when I got married 7 years ago), I don’t mind the rituals that go along with observing the High Holidays. Maybe that’s a shout out to my rabbi, or my husband’s family who we celebrate with here in St. Louis (my family is in Chicago), or maybe I just grew up. Regardless, it just doesn’t seem as much of a chore as it did growing up. Sorry Mom.

In fact, I would say I now consider this time of year enjoyable. I pay attention to the prayers during services and have learned from our rabbis’ sermons. I can even remember getting a little emotional one year. Although I may have been pregnant and would’ve been emotional about a paper towel commercial.

I think having children has made a difference. I am a more grateful person as a parent and I embrace the rituals and prayers that come with observing Rosh Hashanah. Also, I want to be knowledgeable for my kids. I want to be able to answer their questions about Judaism. And I want to be able to keep a Jewish home. I want to understand why as Jews we do certain things and be able to perpetuate that within my family.

This is a far cry from my teenage years when sitting in services meant taking sixteen “bathroom breaks” to meet friends outside. One year, after I had my drivers license, I actually left the building. Took off with friends to get foot long subs at Tony’s down the street!

So that brings me to yesterday. I took my daughter to children’s services at our synagogue. Children’s services differ from adult services in a few ways. They are about two hours shorter, more musical, and usually get a visit from Kermit the frog or some other muppet. And, you get the message of Rosh Hashanah in the simplest terms.

That message is, to paraphrase our rabbi, be thankful for your friends, your family, your teachers. The new year is a new beginning. If you have done things wrong, take the time to make them right. This year is a chance to be better than you were last year. Even though those words were directed at two to seven year olds, I got it. Who couldn’t benefit from those simple reminders. Be grateful, be nice, be better.

Happy New Year.