rosh hashanah
continued from page 72
great-grandchildren is a most signifi-
cant motivator to continue our ritual
celebrations of being Jewish.
The blowing of the shofar is sym-
bolic; but it is the very teaching of sym-
bols like this one that leave an indelible
impression on the mind of a child. We
act out the same rituals year after year
and, at some point, the deeper meaning
becomes clear. As a child grows, he or
she begins to internalize that the blow-
ing of the shofar is a call to action, a call
to one’s neshamah (soul) to wake up
and do better.
Our children require this wake-up
call, and frankly, so do we.
In the upcoming year, we wish for
our community good health, peace
and a renewed spirit and love of being
Jewish. May your ear hear the call of the
shofar and move your
heart to take action. •
I am committed to being the type of
father that Mila deserves, doing every-
thing possible to help her become an
intelligent, independent and caring
person who makes a positive differ-
ence in the world.
Our Metro Detroit Jewish commu-
nity has been recognized as a model
worldwide for its innovative and
successful programming. NEXTGen
Detroit’s Interfaith Couples and Pride
(LGBTQ) groups brought under-
served Jews and their families back
into Jewish communal life. We must
continue to work toward creating an
inclusive “big tent” Jewish community,
at home and abroad, that embraces
and supports the rich diversity of
Jewish people and families.
The city of Detroit and the sur-
rounding metro area have clawed out
of the depths of the Great Recession,
This article is a compilation of thoughts of grand-
experiencing explosive growth over
daughter Ilana Goldberg Block, 32, and grandfa-
the past year, like a phoenix rising
ther Leonard P. Baruch, 95, both having served as
from the ashes. We need to redouble
lay leaders of the Detroit Jewish community. Block
our efforts so that this progress con-
currently serves as president of NEXTGen Detroit.
tinues and take additional steps to
ensure this revitalization and rejuve-
’Shana Tova to the entire Detroit nation reaches all our fellow citizens.
This great country has survived the
Jewish community celebrating
most polarizing political election in
Rosh Hashanah! Let’s take time
recent history. It is essen-
to remember some of the
tial that we come together,
wonderful things that have
regardless of political
happened over the past
party, to bind up the
year. On that firm foot-
nation’s wounds. However,
ing, we can approach the
we also have an obliga-
coming year with a sense
tion to vocally oppose
of optimism and purpose,
the worst impulses of
a desire to give back and
those in power, protect
dedication to live by the
the foundations of our
principle of tikkun olam.
democracy and guarantee
This year, my wife, Stacy,
that America continues
and I were blessed with
to serve as a beacon light
the birth of our daughter,
Jonathan Schwartz
that guides freedom-loving
Mila. She has given us
people everywhere.
and the rest of our fam-
The dream of a homeland for the
ily immeasurable joy. In the new year,
L
Jewish people has survived despite
impossible odds, and the State of
Israel continues to thrive. It is essen-
tial to fight even harder against the
immoral BDS movement and attempts
to delegitimize Israel, and enlist
the help of good people of all faiths
around the world in that effort.
May God bless us as we continue
the amazing progress made over the
past year and work to accomplish the
important aspirations left to be real-
ized. •
Jonathan H. Schwartz is an attorney at Foster
Swift in Southfield. He also serves as the presi-
dent of the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan
and as a NEXTGen Detroit board member.
R
osh Hashanah wakes us with
the unmistakable sound of the
shofar. It startles us into aware-
ness. It rattles us out of
slumber. We stand up
straight. We cock our heads
toward the sound. We
embody a cry: “We are fully
here. We are fully pres-
ent. We are fully ready to
step forward into a new
year of promise.”
To each of us, the deep
ancient sound of the shofar
stirs a common yet unique
resolute desire for a future
we hope to bring to frui-
Genia Gazman
tion. Rosh Hashanah is a
time we set goals for our-
selves for the coming year.
It is a time for reflection and resolution.
What are you determined to no
longer put off ? What are you ready to
undertake? These questions may seem
difficult, but they are easier than the
ones I am about to ask. What are your
partner’s goals? How about your neigh-
bor’s? Your colleague’s? Your congrega-
tion leader’s?
This Rosh Hashanah, I challenge you
to learn their answers, too. As well as
those of others who are a part of your
life. I encourage you to carry the goals of
your loved and dear ones with as much
care and nourishment as your own.
Our individual success depends
on more than merely our individual
will. It depends on sharing our goals
with others and counting on their sup-
port. Likewise, the success of other
members of our community depends on
us knowing the goals they have set.
This Rosh Hashanah, I urge you to be
extra- sensitive to the sound of the sho-
far, to take a look at the faces of hope
listening around you, to hear not only
your own wishes but those of the com-
munity as well. This year, let us hold
each other up to reach soaring heights,
to find buried spirituality and unbreak-
able resolve.
We are a communi-
ty. When a member of our
community succeeds, we all
succeed. We all grow from
one other’s growth. This
Rosh Hashanah, make it a
point to talk to people you
love and know about their
goals for the future. Talk
about how you can help
each other soar.
Before too long, that
ancient sound will pierce
the silence. Listen to your
heart. Listen to the hearts
around you. May we band
together to strengthen each other’s
unbreakable resolve as we find that
buried spirituality and reach soaring
heights. •
Genia Gazman of Farmington
is a law clerk at Joelson Rosenberg PLC.
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