The Great Depression, or the Great New Year?

Today marks the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It's the day we remember the year gone by - the mistakes and the proud moments - and we look ahead to a new year with new possibilities. I spent this New Year with my parents in their new home, in a new city, in a new temple. I wasn't overly moved by the temple, but I appreciate the generosity it showed the citizens of the area by not charging for high holiday services (one seat usually goes for $100) and offering free meals and snacks to the community. 

The rabbi seemed to be a nice man with a heart for the seniors in his community, which seemed odd since my parents are nowhere near senior, but also warming since the rabbi's elderly parents live in the area. He spoke slowly and calmly, and everyone joined in the prayers at their own pace. When it came to his sermon he spoke of a prediction he made about six months ago. "America will wake up from the bad dream it's currently having," he said. And today, I believe it did. The Dow sank 777 points and America was officially in a financial crisis. 

But the rabbi offered a piece of advice: Stop and think about what matters to you.

How many of us were raised to believe that a good job, a big house and a large retirement fund were the measures of success? Maybe today - as we watched our money disappear at the click of a mouse and the pound of a gavel - is the day we rethink what matters to us.

L'shana Tova (for a good year)