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December 27, 2002/Tevet 22 5763, Vol. 55, No. 18
Make resolutions year-round
BARRY COHEN
Editor
According to pop culture, Jan. 1 is the time for people to reflect, determine how to improve their lives and make New Year's resolutions. But according to the Jewish calendar, such resolutions can be made not only during the New Year - the first of Tishrei - but also year-round.
"As Jews, we do not need to wait for Jan. 1 or Rosh Hashana to make resolutions," said Rabbi Bonnie Koppell of Temple Beth Sholom.
Instead, examining one's life should be a daily process. "The Rabbis say, 'the doors to teshuva (change) are never closed,' " she explained.
The foundation of making secular New Year's resolutions is the belief that personal change is possible, said Rabbi Peter Levi of Temple Chai. However, the Jewish New Year also addresses this concept of teshuva, "that we can fundamentally change from who we are to who we can be," he said.
Various members of the Jewish community said they view the Jewish New Year as a more appropriate and meaningful time to reflect on the year and consider making changes in their lives.
"Jan. 1 does not touch me nearly as much as the Jewish New Year," said Dr. Richard Dobrusin. "(The High Holidays) are when I truly make decisions about my life. I look at those words about forgiveness and not holding grudges."
Rosh Hashana is a time for reflection, "a spiritual time to focus on goals," said Jackie Adler, financial consultant. "I make more (resolutions) with Rosh Hashana. In essence, that's my New Year."
The High Holidays are an opportunity for introspection and a chance to think about those times he wronged others, said Edward Quen, retired pharmacist.
However, Quen and Adler agree with the Jewish tradition that they should resolve to improve their lives year-round.
"Personally, I am always making (resolutions). I do not wait for (either) New Year to come," said Adler.
"If there is something I wanted to do to better myself or the community, I do not wait (until the New Year) to make resolutions," said Quen.
Levi said he also views the secular New Year as a time to reflect on the goals made during the High Holidays. "This is a chance to look at ourselves and ask, 'So, how have I done?' "
Koppell noted she is not opposed in principle to making resolutions at the secular New Year for personal change. When asked by the leaders of the Friendship Club, Temple Beth Sholom's seniors group, to write a column in their newsletter, she decided to write about making New Year's resolutions to maintain friendships.
The secular New Year - like the High Holidays - "is a good time to seek reconciliation, to repair relationships," noted Koppell.
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