Rosh Hashanah 2023: Setting Intentions From the Start

Rosh Hashanah 2023 begins on the evening of September 15th and marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. It’s a time for reflection, reassessment, and intention-setting. It’s also one of the holiest days of the year in the Jewish faith, one of two “high holidays”. The holiday lasts for two days and the ceremonial foods and customs set the right tone for the rest of the year.

Rosh Hashanah has always felt like a second chance for a new start to me — an opportunity to connect with a higher power and the intentionality of life. It’s a great time to look at the former year and see what changes can be made. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, you have the perfect opportunity to talk about the best way to set intentions and increase your chances of making your goals a reality.

First Let’s Talk Tradition:

Before we get into some great ways to set yourself up for the best year, it’s important to know about the holiday itself. There are so many interesting aspects to Rosh Hashanah. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Hearing the shofar: The shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah during multiple prayer services throughout the holiday unless Rosh Hashanah falls on the Sabbath. If so, then it will only be blown afterward. The blowing of the Shofar is symbolic for many reasons: it’s a wake-up call for the rest of the year, a symbol of hope and redemption, and a memory of the binding of Isaac. There is also a biblical directive to blow the shofar: (Vayikra) 23:24-25.
• Traditional foods and holiday meals: It wouldn’t be a holiday without food! There is a lot of symbolism around food for Rosh Hashanah. Challah is baked into a round shape to symbolize the cycle of a new year. Apple slices dipped in honey and honey cake both symbolize a L’shanah Tovah u’Metukah or a sweet new year. New fruits celebrate fertility and new possibilities. Finally, fish heads symbolize merits abounding in the New Year.
• Prayer services: Prayer services for this holiday differ and include specific prayers. These include prayers to write our names in the Book of Life, and praying for God to bless us with a sweet new year.

Here are some steps to help you set meaningful intentions for the coming year:

• Self-Reflection:
  1. Begin by finding a quiet and contemplative space.
  2. Reflect on the past year, its successes, and areas where you fell short.
  3. Consider how your actions align with your values and beliefs.
  4. Think about your relationships, personal growth, and contributions to your community.
• Identify Key Areas:
  1. Determine the key areas of your life that you want to focus on in the upcoming year. These could include personal, professional, spiritual, or interpersonal aspects.
  2. Prioritize the areas that resonate most with your current life circumstances and goals.
• Setting Intentions:
  1. Write down specific intentions or goals for each area you’ve identified.
  2. Make your intentions actionable and measurable. Use clear and concise language.
  3. Ensure that your intentions align with Jewish values like kindness, justice, and compassion.
  4. Consider creating a vision board or visual representation of your intentions to reinforce your commitment.
• Accountability and Action:
  1. Finally, share your intentions with a trusted friend or family member who can provide support and encouragement throughout the year.
  2. Create an action plan for each intention, breaking it down into smaller, achievable steps.
  3. Regularly revisit your intentions, assess your progress, and make necessary adjustments.
  4. Use the ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur to work on self-improvement, seek forgiveness from others, and commit to making positive changes.

Grants for Jewish organizations to celebrate Rosh Hashanah:

Rosh Hashanah 2023 also seems like a great opportunity to share some faith-based grants. Here are some of my personal favorites for Jewish organizations, and individuals.

• Grants are available to strengthen the USA-Israel relationship, instill Jewish pride, and combat anti-Israel relationships.
• There are also grants available to nonprofits for social change initiatives to benefit Jewish women and girls.
• Funding is available for Jewish young adults to participate in programs in Israel.
• Additionally, awards are available to authors for nonfiction books on Jewish subjects. In addition to the cash prize, winners will receive marketing and promotion assistance. 
• There are grants available to USA and Israel nonprofits for general support and projects in Jewish communities.
• Finally, there are fellowships open to Jewish high school students to attend a summer educational program in Israel. In addition, selected fellows will participate in a year of transformative projects, studying, and seminars.

GrantNews Notes:

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