Monday evening starts the new Jewish year of 5786. The timing of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) is in sync with the start of each school year. These new beginnings bring the opportunity to visualize our path and our learning in the year ahead.
#1) Why was the boy covered in gift wrap?
His mom told him to live in the present.
#2) What kind of tea is hard to swallow?
Reality.
#3) What would you do without your memories?
Forget.
Embedded in these three riddles is the secret of this season that begins with Rosh Hashanah -- a season of reflection, introspection, and renewal. We have to be deeply present in order to reflect on our memories of real, authentic moments from the year past to inform a commitment to doing better in the new year.
This is our opportunity to imagine an end to the challenges and dislocations of the year ending and to dream about the year ahead. Seventy-five years ago Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote about the power of wonder and original thinking. He wrote: "Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge."
This captures the core idea that true knowledge starts with a type of awe and curiosity that animate spiritual and intellectual inquiry. Applying that sense of awe and curiosity to the year ahead is precisely what this Jewish season is about. We reflect on the year that is coming to a close in order to inspire our dreams for the year ahead.
Then we dedicate ourselves to spend the coming year pursuing those dreams. That is the kind of imagination and innovation that makes original thinking real in our school and in the world.
My wish for you and your families is for a new year filled with lots of wonder and much awe. May it be filled with learning abundant and sweetness overflowing.
PS- Please check out the new podcast from JCHS.
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