The Jewish High Holidays are a time to celebrate and share sweet wishes with family, friends, and community. This opportunity for honest reflection and hope for the New Year has never felt so valuable as it does now, when so many people and communities are striving to make ourselves and our world better; this past year has certainly presented us with many challenges, especially in recent months, and this time for hope and healing, resolutions and refocusing, feels particularly meaningful and timely.
JFS Delaware's mission and work has always been inspired by the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, and the relevance of this guiding principle has never been so apparent as our communities face the challenges of a global pandemic, protest racial inequities and violence, and experience isolation and stress in unprecedented ways.
Regardless of whether you celebrate and observe these Jewish High Holidays, many of us and our colleagues and neighbors have already begun setting goals and taking steps toward self-improvement and community healing. This may start with small actions and short conversations, but the greater impact can be exponentially powerful when we work together to achieve our vision for a brighter future—one in which there is no illness, grief or pain; a world in which differences are valued as strengths and all people are treated equally, with dignity and respect.
The High Holidays may look different for many of us this year—we may not be with our loved ones or celebrate the ways we traditionally would—but we can all find meaningful ways to engage in self-care, build up our resilience, and restore our hope for the year to come...and beyond.
May this new year bring you and your loved ones health, happiness, peace, and countless opportunities for growth and connection.
Warmly,
Norman Pernick and Basha Silverman
Board President and CEO