A New Year!
May it bring new chances,
new hopes for peace and harmony:
may we see an end to conflict
and reach out to each other
with love and honor.
In our synagogues, we chant the prayers of our ancestors.
Singing well-known melodies,
whispering fervent please to the Almighty,
I stand in awe
tears flooding my eyes.
For I remember Rosh Hashanah of long ago:
Baba and mother in the crowded shul,
urging us to stop squirming,
handling us apples, pears and candy:
Zayde and father
engrossed in heartfelt prayer,
rapidly muttering and suddenly shouting
ancient supplications to the Almighty:
my sister, brother and I
dressed in new attire,
anxiously anticipating
the family Yom tov feast. Walking down the streets of Winnipeg
we stop by each synagogue
greeting everyone with "A Good Year"
Then -Baba’s delicious ,mouth watering honey cake:
aunts,uncles and cousins overflow the room…
So I pray and change and once again
dedicate myself to the Holy One,
Blessed be He.
Amen
