Rosh Hashanah 5785

By Julia Loeb, WLCJ International President

The Gift of Time: Rosh Hashanah and Living with Intention

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, I find myself reflecting on one of the most valuable resources we have—time. This holiday is more than just the start of the Jewish New Year; it’s an opportunity to pause and take stock of how we spend our days and whether our actions align with the values we hold dear. The High Holidays offer a profound reminder that time is not only finite but sacred.

Time plays an enormous role in Judaism. The first thing that God declares as holy is a measure of time- a day, specifically Shabbat at the end of Creation. The first commandment given to B’nai Israel, even before the Exodus, is the commandment to sanctify time by fixing and observing the Jewish calendar. In the Jewish Tradition, time is often seen as a gift from God, and Rosh Hashanah is the moment to take a deep, personal look at how we’ve used that gift. The concept of cheshbon hanefesh—an accounting of the soul—encourages us to reflect on the past year: Have we spent time wisely? Have we made space for the things that truly matter, like family, personal growth, and community?

I must admit, I don’t always use my time as well as I could. It’s easy to get lost in distractions, whether it’s the demands of email or the endless rabbit hole of social media. One minute, I’m looking up a recipe for challah, and the next thing I know, an hour has passed, and I’ve been sucked in by the Facebook algorithm, watching old videos of Modern Family or Say Yes to the Dress. While we all need moments of fun, Rosh Hashanah invites us to ask tough questions: Is this really how I want to spend my time?

But it’s not just about avoiding distractions; it’s about ensuring that our time reflects our core values. This year, I’m focusing on aligning my time with what truly matters. For me, that means being more present with my family and dedicating time to my own spiritual growth. It also means contributing to the community and spending time on meaningful work that makes a difference, like my work for Women’s League.

The sound of the shofar during Rosh Hashanah services serves as a spiritual wake-up call. It’s a jolt that reminds us that time is precious, and we must use it wisely. But here’s the truth: life is busy, and balance isn’t always easy to achieve. The High Holidays don’t expect us to be perfect; they encourage us to recognize where we’ve fallen short and give us the chance to reset.

That’s the beauty of this holiday—it’s a time for renewal. We can start fresh, set new intentions, and aim to make better use of the time we have ahead. Whether it’s spending more time with loved ones, investing in our own personal growth, or giving back to the community, Rosh Hashanah invites us to step into the new year with clarity and purpose.

So, this year, I’m committing to spending less time on distractions and more time on the things that matter most. Yes, I might still enjoy a sit-com video, but I’ll balance it with actions that align with my deepest values—faith, family, and community. At the end of the Amidah we say words from Psalm 19 “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.” This year I will add “May these words of my mouth, this meditation of my heart, [and the time I spend] be pleasing in your sight.” As we dip our apples in honey and welcome the new year, may we all find meaningful ways to spend our time and make each moment count.

Shanah Tovah U’metukah—may it be a sweet and purposeful year for us all and may we see peace and the return of the hostages.

Shabbat Shalom,
Julia Loeb
WLCJ International President
jloeb@wlcj.org