The Shehecheyanu

The Jewish High Holidays (or High Holy Days), Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, have just passed. For those of you who are unfamiliar, these two days represent our New Year and our Day of Atonement. On Rosh Hashanah we eat apples and honey in hopes of a sweet new year. We go to temple and hear the shofar (ram's horn) being blown which acts as an alarm clock of sorts, a wake up call, a reminder to reflect on who we are and who we want to be in the new year. On Yom Kippur, we fast and atone for our wrong doings from the the previous year, and make amends where we can.

Suffice it to say, these two holidays are a big deal for us Jews.

I've had a difficult time finding a Jewish home since moving to the Bay Area, even though I've now been here for five years! I partly blame the wonderful Temple I grew up in. I've become incredibly accustomed to a particular way of chanting prayers or songs, and anything else just doesn't resonate the same way.

The past three years I've attended Rosh Hashanah services at the local JCC, and for the first time this year, it felt familiar. It's starting to feel a little bit like home. These days of reflection have inspired me to think of the ways in which I'm creating a Jewish home for Owen. Sure we have mezuzahs on the doors. We're even members of the PJ Library, so Bub receives a Jewish-themed book every month. But really, what am I doing to instill a love of Judaism in my son, who will be raised with both faiths?

Sadly, the answer is not much. While Rosh Hashanah has left its mark on Owen, for sure, as it provided an excuse to consume copious amounts of honey, I've realized I need to do more. So this will be my "work on" this year. Over the next several months, I plan to rediscover my faith with both my non-Jewish partner and my son. We're attending "Tot Shabbat" this Friday, a service designed for the youngest Jews among us, and hopefully that can turn into a regular event.

I also felt compelled to sing the Shehecheyanu to Owen before bed the other night. It's a prayer generally reserved for special occasions, but I realized, as I was rocking with my little guy, that since he's been born, LIFE has been a special occasion. :)


Phonetic transliteration:
Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'aolam shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this day.