The very name of our Holiday, Rosh Hashanah, makes the question difficult to answer. Literally Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year." Idiomatically, it is the Hebrew term for our Jewish New Year.

Did you know that the same word for year-- Shanah-- has two other meanings?

"Shana" also means both: 1. To Change and 2. To Repeat

Human nature tends to resist change. We yearn for stability and often accept the status quo rather than face the unknown. There is a tension between wanting to repeat what we know and wanting to change what we know. Figuring this out, the question of change vs. status quo, is a daunting process!

We are ready to begin our High Holy Days, but are we really ready?

The theme of Rosh Hashanah is supposed to be about "Cheshbon Nefesh" -- doing the inner work and taking an accounting of our actions. We ask ourselves where have we missed the mark and what do we need to repair and pay attention to this coming year.

And yet, with our lives so busy and with our country's economy and our own financial situations so fragile, many of us simply want nothing to be different. We are afraid things might only get worse!

If we have a job, we keep it, without questioning if it is fulfilling and meaningful. Relationships? Just hang on; now is not the time to change. We are in demanding times, and inner growth is not the priority when we are simply trying to stay afloat.

In the Los Angeles Rabbinic High Holiday Seminar a few weeks ago, Rabbi Donniel Hartman addressed this question of change vs. the status quo.

He acknowledged that when we are suffering, when our lives are not the way we wanted them to be, we often cry out to God to keep things the way they were.

Rabbi Hartman challenged us to use suffering as an opportunity to grow. He asserted that we don't have the luxury to be angry, depressed or frightened of change, but stated that "moral life begins when 'ought to be' is different than 'what is.'"

In the midst of so much uncertainty, we have the opportunity to ask: What ought I become? How can I change? What is truly important to me? What are my priorities and how am I taking care of myself and my relationships?

If we are really trying to do Teshuvah--to "turn inward" and ask these questions--then we do not have the luxury of status quo!

We all want stability and we can also ask hard questions. Perhaps our questions and inner work are ways to overcome our fear of change.

It is said that "change breeds change and if you change an attitude -- it will precipitate other changes in your life." (Rabbi Simon Jacobson)

May we therefore be blessed this new year with the desire to embrace the opportunities for growth and renewal, even when we are afraid of change and do not want to upset the status quo.

The time is now! There is an urgency and energy in the air. We can find our inner glow, the special spark of our soul. May we begin to reclaim our true mission in life and have the hope and the courage to become who we are; and we say Amen.

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah- A sweet, healthy and meaningful year to us all!

Milestones L'vaya (condolences) to Miriam and Fred Hearn on the passing of Fred's mother Elizabeth Hearn. Chadashot tovot (good news) from Joy Krauthammer, whose daughter Aviva and son-in-law Brett have completed their move to Washington D.C. If you have a milestone to share please send it to: editor@leveisha.org. Our newsletter gets printed about a week before each service. Please send the info ASAP.