Beautifying your home since 1939 HAGOPIAN Hashanah and Yom Kippur can be the mechanisms of focus when much of life feels out of focus. To admit our errors and confess our faults, we need not demean nor degrade ourselves. We should not beat our chests so hard that we, in essence, begin to beat ourselves up. Instead, we should beat our chests in regret to symbolize that the mistakes we have made deeply touch us, have meaning for us and encourage us to improve ourselves in the coming days and months ahead. We admit our shortcom- ings, come to terms with our failings and recognize our humility first and foremost by forgiving ourselves. For only after for- giving ourselves, can we seek and accept forgiveness from others. There is a story about a rabbi who was asked by his students, "How should one determine the hour when night ends and day begins?" One student suggested, "Is it when one can distinguish a sheep from a dog in the distance?" A second student ventured, "Is it when one can make out a date tree from a fig tree in the distance?" "No," said the rabbi, "It is when you can look into the face of a stranger and see your sister or brother. Until then, night is still with us!" In this season of forgiveness, may we be willing to forgive others when they wrong us and may we never be too proud to ask pardon of those whom we have wronged. When we do this with a full heart, we assure ourselves that the past definitely does not get in our eyes! Shanah Tovah! E RUG CLEANING Back to School Sale IN-HOME CLEANING Whether you have 2, 4, 6 or even 20 rugs, bring them to us & we'll clean every other one Let us clean your tile & grout too! FREE! Ask about our expert rug repair! 1-800-HAGOPIAN (424-6742) www.originalhagopian.com Joseph Krakoff is a rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. RUG CARE CENTERS AND SHOWROOMS New Year's Resolutions For A Stronger Jewish Community T zedakah, we are taught in our High Holy Day liturgy, will save us from death. Now, from a medical point of view this may not be entirely correct, but the machzor is speaking spiritually and metaphori- cally here. The generosity that we exhibit in our lives does indeed live after we are gone. This Rosh Hashanah, however, I would like to take the metaphor just one step further. Tzedakah is what will save our Detroit Jewish community from "death" if you will, but only if we use it wisely, given the difficult economic and demographic challenges that face us. That is why I would like to propose these five foun- dational principles that should be con- sidered in making any charitable gift. This year when you make your pledg- es, ask the following five questions: • Is this Jewish organization trans- parent? My hometown of Lakewood, N.J. has been rocked by revelations that Jewish charitable organizations have been used as vehicles for criminal money-laundering enterprises. This is a shandeh and underscores how important it is that our donations go to Jewish organizations whose financial books are open and clean. • Does this organization support the principle of Clal Yisrael, the inclusion of Jews from all of our diverse streams? The ancient Temple in Jerusalem was said to have fallen due to sinat chinam, the baseless infighting that sometimes plagues our Jewish community. If you want to ensure that your donations bring life to our community, ensure as well that they will be used to engender Jewish unity. We cannot "live" as a com- munity if we are divided by exclusion and discrimination. • Does this organization support the State of Israel? Of course, not all Jewish charities are "Zionist" chari- ties, but neither should any of our resources go to support any anti-Zionist endeavors. • Is this organization effi- cient in its use of funds? Charities with unusually high overhead costs should be avoided in favor of those that put your money directly to work making this world a bet- ter place. Websites like www.charitynavigator.org are available to help you make these determinations. • Is this Jewish organization worthy of my time as well as my resources? Consider spending time volunteering at the organization you are support- ing financially. There is no better way to get a direct sense and feel for the efficacy of the contributions you are making. So, while I cannot promise that your generous contributions this year will keep you out of the hospital or emer- gency room, I do believe that tzedakah is God's way of helping us matter beyond the parameters of our own lives. Thus, I can assure you that your charitable contributions, when given according to these five foundational principles, will indeed bring life to our incredible Detroit Jewish community during this new year of 5773. ❑ OAK PARK BIRMINGHAM NOVI UTICA ANN ARBOR THE C ircle affeinowsemosso You ARE INVITED The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring Rosh Hashana Yom Kippu FREE OBSERVANCES ALL WELCOM . (DONATIONS APPRECIATED) Meaningful Cultural/Secular Approac Music, Singing & Readings Stefan Kukurugya, pianist Daniella HarPaz Mechnikov, vocalist At the Jewish Community Center 15110 West Ten Mile Road, Oak Park Rosh Hashanah - Monday, September 17, 10 a.m. Yom Kippur - Wednesday, September 26, 10 a.m. For more information contact 248-432-5677 or micirclel @gmail.com : YOU MAY BRING FOOD FOR YAD F7RA o obirN s THE WORKMEN'S CIRCLE/ARBETER RING Dedicated to Jewish Community, Jewish/YiddiSh Culture & SociallJustice Jewish Community Center, 15110 West Ten Mile Road, Oak Park, MI 48237 www.circlemichigan.org The Board of Directors, Volunteers and Staff of Yad Ezra thank our Jewish community for its generous support in assisting us alleviate hunger. Your help makes a tremendous difference in the lives of those most vulnerable. Best wishes for a healthy, happy and peaceful new year! ir 111 qui Paul Yedwab is a rabbi at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. 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