Every year on Erev Rosh Hashanah, I go to the Jewish bakery down the street and buy two challahs. In my Jewish neighborhood here in upper Manhattan, Erev Rosh Hshanah is the busiest day at the bakery by a factor of 20. Somehow, they cram about 10,000 loaves into the store and sell out a few hours before sunset. They are not the best challahs in the world. Most of them look a little crushed, like they had been sitting at the bottom of a giant mound of challahs in New Jersey. But I buy them anyway because I love the chaotic scene in the store, I love the old lady behind the counter who calls me 'young man' (I'm 41), and I love the feeling in my heart as I walk home. The whole transaction takes barely 15 minutes, but it makes me smile for the rest of the day.
The other thing that makes me happy is reading Barack Obama's reflections on the Jewish New Year.
As Jews around the world celebrate Rosh Hashanah, I want to send my best wishes for a happy, healthy, and sweet new year.
This marks not just a time for rejoicing, but for reflecting on the hopes the new year brings, and on our responsibilities to see them fulfilled. As families come together to mark the High Holy Days, upholding a proud Jewish tradition.
Let us all rededicate ourselves to the task of repairing this world for our children and grandchildren, and to working to achieve peace and security for Israel. On behalf of all of the Obamas and Bidens, Shana Tovah. (link)
Tradition, dedication, peace, children and grandchildren. Those are good words to hear at this time of year.
To everyone on DailyKos--your parents, your grandparents, your children, your grandchildren, friends and family alike: Shana Tovah. Wishing you a year filled with tradition, dedication, peace, and...a sweet result in November.
(Make a New Year donation to my favorite presidential campaign here and/or to one of my favorite charities here)
Update [2008-9-29 15:57:20 by Jeffrey Feldman]:
By popular demand--a photo of my two gorgeous challahs, baked fresh with my own credit card: