As the beginning of the school year rapidly approaches, almost all children (and parents!) feel excitement, anticipation and nerves. A new school year offers our children a fresh beginning, with new teachers, new supplies, new attitudes and, hopefully, a clean slate. Thankfully, children are not the only ones who reap the benefits of beginning a new year.

As Jews, we celebrate a new beginning each year with apples, honey, services and soul searching. We often feel the same excitement and anxiety during this time of year that our students feel about school. Rosh Hashanah literally translates to “Head of the Year”; however, it is actually only one of four New Year celebrations in Judaism. Pesach, another New Year celebration, focuses on the beginning of the Jewish people, where Rosh Hashanah is a celebration of humanity, celebrated on Adam’s birthday.

Many look at Rosh Hashanah as a new year for spiritual renewal focusing our attention towards our behavior with others and God. During the month of Elul proceeding Rosh Hashanah, we take the time to reflect backwards on the year and think about past wrongs and how we can improve. Often it is the time leading up to any event that is more anxiety provoking than the actual event itself. To counteract the anxiety preceding Rosh Hashanah, it has often been noted that “Elul” is an acronym for the phrase “Ani ledodi vedodi li,” meaning “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”

Elul represents the unconditional love God has for all of us. Elul is not a time to cover up our flaws but rather to be vulnerable enough to be honest and open with ourselves. By opening up, we reflect on the past year as a way to get ready for our new beginning. Elul is a time when we should view ourselves as loved enough to start over.

Beginnings are magical gifts we are given. I am exhilarated, and honored to share such an exciting beginning with all of you, both during Rosh Hashanah and for the start to a new year at STaRS.

Shanah Tovah!