Betsy Frank is UHC para-rabbinic fellow and president.
The Hebrew calendar advises us that here in the northern hemisphere, the Ten Days of Awe, when we practice Teshuvah, occur during the fall (or in some years, late summer).
Sukkot also occurs in the fall. And on the secular calendar, students go back to school as fall begins.
This year, many of the seasonal celebrations have occurred virtually and parents, students and teachers are coping with online education.
Nevertheless, fall remains a time of new beginnings, even in a virtual environment.
It’s election season
Fall in the U.S. is also election season. Elections allow all of us to exercise a voice in our government. We can vote to reaffirm current representatives in local, state and federal offices.
Or, we can vote to change those representatives. But if we don’t vote, we essentially give up our right to have a say in how we are governed. We may not necessarily like the choice of candidates, but we still have an obligation — yes, obligation — to make our views known.
I recently heard a guest on National Public Radio remark, ‘Don’t let the perfect get in the way of good enough.’
I recently heard a guest on National Public Radio remark, “Don’t let the perfect get in the way of good enough.” No candidate is perfect and no candidate is totally unacceptable. So, do vote for the candidate you think is good enough.
Early voting in Indiana continues through Nov. 2 and election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Jews must make their voices heard
Throughout our history, Jews in various countries have been denied full rights of citizenship. We are fortunate as Jews in the U.S. to be able to practice our religion as we choose, and to vote for whomever we choose.
Choose we must! If things don’t turn out the way we like, we will know that at least we participated in the process.
Choose we must! If things don’t turn out the way we like, we will know that at least we participated in the process.
Fall and the election season do bring new beginnings. We can try to transform our lives through Teshuvah and we can have a say in how our government transforms itself as a result of the voting process. Both are equally important!