Working on being better

The car is now slowly creeping along the highway, as my synagogue is a couple of towns away from home. The chorus then comes up again, and I reflect on the lyrics. It reminds me of what these couples of weeks are supposed to be about, whether you are Jewish or not. 

It is a reboot period. It is the beginning, a new school year. It’s a time to reflect on everything that has happened throughout my high school years. This is now my senior year, as it is my sister’s freshman year at Lawrence Woodmere Academy Upper School. As a result, we are in very similar and different places. We are both on our way to something new, I am almost done with high school and she is just beginning. Now, I am visiting and applying to colleges as she is adapting to her new school environment. 

     At the shul we take our seats and after a time, the Rabbi began his sermon. He was talking about his fresh new start this year; a new lease on life – essentially his sermon every year. This year however, it had a greater impact. It resonated, maybe because of my situation or something greater.  Now, as I write this, it is the time that God condemns a person to life or death, the period between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. In Judaism, this period is supposed to be used to reflect on our actions and repent for whatever sins a person has done. 

In any case, the reflection I hoped to have done was look at what occurred over the summer and last school year. To work harder and study harder, or as my headmaster says “to work with a purpose.” By the end of the day, I was determined to not let the singer’s fate be mine. I was going to make this year be better than the last.