The Winner Is: Michele P., Philadelphia
"The mainstream New Year is often about resolutions and I no longer 'just resolve' to do anything. It sounds passive and gives me a feeling of a last ditch attempt, like I've let something go horridly wrong in the past. The shofar, and the Jewish New Year, is empowering, it is about opening one's eyes.
So, my wake up call is to be more aware every day. Be aware of my temple needs, as membership chair, be aware of the Jewish community and, the mainstream, to help all not just a group. To be aware of my role as a mother and wife. To be aware of my own needs and desires, to be the best person I can be. To network more to help raise others up to their aspirations. So, the shofar call is my awareness call, and it isn't even sounding yet, and I can see more clearly and hear it echo through me - I am honestly blessed."
Congratulations Michele!
Rosh Hashanah begins the eve of Friday, September 18th, this year. The Jewish New Year is a time for contemplation: reflecting on the past year and planning for the new. The shofar (ram's horn) is blown, calling people to wake up from their moral sleep, think about their behavior, and become better people.
"The mainstream New Year is often about resolutions and I no longer 'just resolve' to do anything. It sounds passive and gives me a feeling of a last ditch attempt, like I've let something go horridly wrong in the past. The shofar, and the Jewish New Year, is empowering, it is about opening one's eyes.
So, my wake up call is to be more aware every day. Be aware of my temple needs, as membership chair, be aware of the Jewish community and, the mainstream, to help all not just a group. To be aware of my role as a mother and wife. To be aware of my own needs and desires, to be the best person I can be. To network more to help raise others up to their aspirations. So, the shofar call is my awareness call, and it isn't even sounding yet, and I can see more clearly and hear it echo through me - I am honestly blessed."
Congratulations Michele!
Rosh Hashanah begins the eve of Friday, September 18th, this year. The Jewish New Year is a time for contemplation: reflecting on the past year and planning for the new. The shofar (ram's horn) is blown, calling people to wake up from their moral sleep, think about their behavior, and become better people.
In what ways are you "casting off" and starting new this year?
This is our question for the Cool Jew New You Giveaway, happening in conjunction with the Cool Jew Artist Showcase on Sunday, September 13th at the JCC of Manhattan. Many of the contributors to the giveaway will be performing at the event. Learn more about the JCC event.
click pic to enlarge
click pic to enlarge
One lucky winner will receive the following gifts:
- Ladino chanteuse Sarah Aroeste's Puertas CD ($15)
- Stand-up comedian Yisrael Campbell's Circumcise Me DVD ($20)
- Eprhyme’s debut CD WAYWORDWONDERWILL ($15) and 7-inch vinyl single, Punklezmerap, on K Records as part of its International Pop Underground Series ($5)
- Jewcy.com’s “Table Topics: Spirit Box” discussion cards ($25)
- Author Lisa Alcalay Klug's book Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe ($13)
- Living Tree Community Foods’ organic Snugglespoon honey, raw almond butter and raw tahini ($47 total)
- Rachel and Matti’s CD sampler Your Kindness ($5)
- Jennie Rivlin Roberts' "No Limit Texas Dreidel" game from ModernTribe.com ($20)
- Jean Roth’s Rotem Gear What Would Maimonides Do? t-shirt ($24)
- Author Matthue Roth’s books, Never Mind the Goldbergs ($8) and Yom Kippur A Go-Go ($15)
- Musician/composer Elie Massias’ Brooklyn Days CD ($10)
- Singer/Songwriter Rav Shmuel's "Protocols" and "B'yameinu" music CDs ($18 each) and two t-shirts ($15 each)
Comment to Enter:
"In what ways are you "casting off" and starting new this year?"
Important Information:
- Please make sure your email is available to us, either through your Blogger profile, post or otherwise. If we can't reach you, you can't win.
- Check back here or sign up for our Newsletter (sign up box is on top right) to be notified of the winner on September 17.
- How we pick the winners -- We use a random number generator and if it matches (a) a real attempt at an answer (which all of them usually are) and (b) we can contact the person (we will go searching for your contact on your blog, Twitter, website), then that person is the winner. If either (a) or (b) isn't true, we generate another random number and start over.
- No purchase is required to enter. This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada 18 years old and older. Void where prohibited. Your comments will be displayed without further approval or compensation.
27 Comments
i am casting aside the religion i was raised in & am converting in the new year. i have been filled w/ trepidation about this step, feeling that it wasn’t my place to decide to be Jewish, or that i would be unwelcome. i am scared but excited to face the challenges & learning experiences ahead.
By kimberleigh on September 16, 2009
Casting off old junk. Dirty, dusty, broken things (some fixable). I’m purging my junk while refreshing my soul. Giving to charities, free lists, and friends. It’s like spring cleaning, only it’s fall, ya know?
Let me know if I won at flowerj5 (AT) yahoo
Shalom
By Anonymous on September 15, 2009
I am casting off negative influences and people. My soul needs to thrive and I need nourishment with people of worth.
By StereoQueenBee on September 16, 2009
“In what ways are you “casting off” and starting new this year?"
1) by identifying, admitting & “owning” past actions by the method of personal self responsibilty for the past years activities that need change for the better.
2) by “separating” from these past actions, thus returning (teshuvah) to “original self” as a totally new person free of any past attachments to that energy.
3)by “sweetening” the past actions in time when i’m feeling strengthened by incorporationg these aspects of self or soul that had made mistakes in the past and forging a new path utilizing the energy of the past in new healthy and kosher ways.
remember… just because we make mistakes doesn’t mean that we are mistakes!
also… g-d doesn’t do things to us g-d does things for us!
By chai4love on September 15, 2009
I am going to cast off my impatience, shortness, and snappiness by taking in the lessons HHD always remind me of each year. It’s a work in progress, a process.
I can be contacted at carrieplant AT gmail
By Carrie on September 13, 2009
I am going to cast off my unhealthy habits. I will create an exercise program and stick with it and not eat foods I shouldn’t be eating.
I can be contacted at my email address which is abeauparlant AT gmail
Shanah Tovah
By Anonymous on September 13, 2009
I’m casting off to the max.
I’ll be starting 5770 shomer negiah, on Weight Watchers (again), living out my Jewishness to the max, and trying to regulate my calendar better.
Here’s hoping when the Gregorian New Year comes I have something to prove for it :)
By Chaviva on September 15, 2009
I’m expecting a baby on the second day of R.H. — doesn’t get any more symbolic than that, does it?
By Miriam on September 10, 2009
I always make a Rosh Hashana Resolution. This year it’s to be true to myself. Evey month this next year I want to try something new— life is for living. This month it’s glass blowing. I hope to expand my cultural boundaries and maybe inspire others to do the same. I don’t want to wale up one day and realize I have said “no” to living. I can’t wait to stumble onto these new experiences and let them open my eyes to a world fully experienced.
By Jenny on September 11, 2009
I think … the only thing I’m doing new this year is not trying to do anything new, the only change I’m making is I’m not making any purposeful change. I’m being myself, as I am. That’s it. :-)
By 2C on September 10, 2009
No more silly facebook memes that eat up all available time.
By Milhouse on September 10, 2009
This year, I’m casting off negativity. After what was the worst 18 months of my life to date, I’ve decided to keep as much negative crap out of my life as possible. It’ll involve frightening things to be sure, like not staying in a horrible work environment just because the economy is crappy and I’m glad to have a job. I’m also looking for a job with a purpose; something that isn’t just bottom line and end product, but puts some good back into the world (or at least tries with all it’s might to). I’m already volunteering for a couple groups like that and I’m hoping to channel that experience into a job that will let me do the same.
By Jenni on September 10, 2009