Reflecting on RBG and the Jewish New Year

The rain started to fall as I stood baking challah and noodle kugel for our Jewish New Year celebration on Friday.  My relief that the rain was washing away the smoke from fires raging up and down the West Coast was replaced with sadness as I heard the news of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death.

 In Judaism, it is said that those who die just before the Jewish New Year are the ones G-d waited until the last moment to take because they were needed most and were a tzaddik, a person of great righteousness. It should not be lost on anyone that the root of that Hebrew word means “justice.” 

As Jews around the globe celebrate Rosh Hashanah, we seek to wash away what blinds us to others’ suffering, to injustices and to the missteps we have made this past year.

 Let us all use this moment as a time for reflection and a wake-up call. We cannot be blind to the implications of a rushed Supreme Court nomination process, a US Senate that remains in Republican control and a second term for Donald Trump.

 This is a year like no other.  Frankly, it’s a year that I wouldn’t mind having washed from my memory. But we cannot wash away our own responsibility. There are 45 days until the November election.

 WE MUST ACT.  Volunteer. Donate to a US Senate race. Fill out and return your Census form. Vote.  

 May Ruth Bader Ginsburg be for a blessed memory always and L’Shanah Tova to those who celebrate. Peace and health to all.