Rosh Hashanah reflections

So as I sit in my recently moved into, furniture free apartment in Jerusalem, and ponder the year that has been and the year to come on the eve of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year for anyone who may not know, although if you are reading this you probably know me and in turn have probably at least heard the term before...but I digress), the one thing that I keep returning to is the fact that I have been blessed with great family and tremendous friends and don't actively appreciate them nearly enough. This is best indicated through my lack of regular communication with most of this group of people, despite my deep love and affection for them. I don't know why I am such a shit about staying in touch with people. I used to be quite good at it. I am sure a significant element is the fact that I have been extremely self-absorbed for the past several years. I am continuing to explore why this has been the case, and while I will not bore you with the initmate details of this self-reflection, I am starting to better understand where this is coming from. I am hoping that this increased understanding will have tangible results regarding my communicative abilities, however I will not surprise myself (or anyone else for that matter) if I continue to be obsessed with my own journey and my quest to figure out exactly what is my place in this world.

I am fortunate that my friends and family are exceedingly patient and willing to overlook my many faults. I like to think that its because I have a lot of good things to offer when I am not being an ass. I don't know how many, if any, of my friends and/or family will actually read this, but if you are one of those people (and you know who you are) I can only say that anything and everything good that is in my life is because of you. You have given me love, support and encouragement even when (and sometimes especially when) I have not deserved it and anything I accomplish is only because you have helped me to do so. I will never be able to thank you enough or accurately convey how much you mean to me.

So as we enter into Rosh Hashanah and the High Holiday season, let me start off on the right (or left, if that's your thing) foot by offering all of the love that I have to give (how much that actually amounts to is being calculated ) and a wish for this coming year that the people I love will have all of the health, happiness and blessings that they (you) so richly deserve. Shanah tovah u'metukah, a good and sweet year to you all and may you be inscribed in the Book of Life (God knows you've earned it).

See you on the flip side.

Peace.

Return of the (s)mac(k)

Yes, I am blogging again, which can only mean that I have once again left the cozy confines of the US of A for locations abroad (or it could mean other things I suppose...but I digress). Anyhoo, I am in Jerusalem for Year 4 of my HUC rabbinic education. For those who are wondering, it is not usual for students to spend any year other than their first in Israel, but due to a variety of circumstances, the powers that be are enabling me to do this. So as was the case the last time I did any 'serious' blogging, this will serve as a repository (depository? supository?) for various stories, ideas, thoughts and barely coherent ramblings that I encounter or imagine over the course of the coming year. I will also try to include some pics or other visual aides from time to time. I hope these posts will serve to be at least mildly entertaining or thought provoking, or if nothing else provide you with excellent fodder with which to mock me the next time we meet. As always, I welcome any feedback/responses unless otherwise noted.
I would now like to depart from my prepared remarks to tell you about how I invented the terlet....