Happy and Healthy Jewish New Year.

 Happy and Healthy Jewish New Year.

Yes folks. It's that time when your correspondent and humble scribe turns his thoughts to the beginning of the New Year. But, surely not. That has to be a huge chronological mistake, a stupid anomaly based on the evidence that we are now approaching the end of September and there are no signs of limp tinsel and glitter from the Christmas festivities and no hearty renditions of Auld Lang Syne in the air. And we're not going to wait for Big Ben to usher in the New Year because that's just daft and totally inappropriate.

But as a proud Jew, you adore the communal harmony in our local synagogue or shul, the reverential chanting of the prayers, the stirring hymns from the chumash prayer books and the lovely feeling of togetherness and solidarity engendered by the belief that family and the family unit always comes first in the Jewish religion.  

And so it is that this Tuesday, yours truly and his wonderful family will gather together once again to acknowledge the chag. i.e. the holiday, that sacred moment in the year when we unite under the beautiful canopy of that majestic building known as Finchley Reform synagogue. It is a time, of course, for solemn reflection of the year that has just passed by and perhaps introspection since the world around us may not be in the condition we'd like it to be. We will ask probing questions of our political leaders and those warmongering terrorists who continue to disfigure this gorgeous planet. We will despair of the rest of humanity and hug our family to our bosom because they're precious. 

Sometime on Tuesday morning we'll be exchanging the familiar pleasantries with family, friends and those who pass regular comment on the Jewish people. They must know that we embrace Judaism with a passionate tenderness that remains as solid as it was thousands of years ago and throughout the generations. Being Jewish is the best feeling in the world because at Finchley Reform shul we'll be all as one, singing from the same hymn sheet, male and female, young and old. 

This is the starting point again, another chapter of our lives, the future that unfolds like the thrilling first few pages of your novel, your identity, your plans and ambitions or maybe the simple contentment of who you are. Of course the Jews have endured so much that is painful and uncomfortable. The persecution complex goes back centuries and millions of years. But we can beat this one and we will. 

We've suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune to misquote the Bard, William Shakespeare.  But, we will be defiant, determined and courageous. This is in our DNA. Jews are paragons of virtue, law abiding, respectable, considerate and sympathetic people, men, women and children with something very meaningful to give back to society. And then we'll tell our children and grandchildren to get out there and prove everybody wrong, to make their indelible mark on the world. 

On Tuesday we'll be ushering in Rosh Hashanah, with its traditional apple and honey symbolism, the prayers for health and happiness, the widespread rejoicing, the vocal congregations with our proud singing voices, the redemptive and rich, honeyed resonance that will boom out across the globe. And then there will be Succot, the Jewish Harvest Festival where the fruits of the earth will hang joyfully from the Sukkah and sweet wine will be sipped before yet another generous helping of chulllah bread just to underline the lavish abundance of everything that is good in our lives. 

Simchat Torah of course will bring back so many painful memories of October 7th from a couple of years ago. It was the day when Israel and the rest of the world hung its head in shame and horror at the violent attack on youngsters returning home after the Nova music festival. Even now it hurts terribly and the 1,500 lives lost in Israel on that fateful day will always remain on our minds. But as the proudest Jew in the world, there will be no room for terrorism and murder and we will stand by Israel. 

So wherever you are in the world, a happy, healthy, sweet and peaceful New Year, a Rosh Hashanah that will always keep you for company because it's so uplifting and good to be Jewish and always will be. Chag semach and l'shana tova to you all.