A New Year!

May it bring new chances,

new hopes for peace and harmony:

may we see an end to conflict

and reach out to each other

with love and honor.

In our synagogues, we chant the prayers of our ancestors.

Singing well-known melodies,

whispering fervent please to the Almighty,

I stand in awe

tears flooding  my eyes.

For I remember Rosh Hashanah of long ago:

Baba and mother in the crowded shul,

urging us to stop squirming,

handling us apples, pears and candy:

Zayde and father

engrossed in heartfelt prayer,

rapidly muttering and suddenly shouting

ancient supplications to the Almighty:

my sister, brother and I

dressed in new attire,

anxiously anticipating

the family Yom tov feast. Walking down the streets of Winnipeg

we stop by each synagogue

greeting everyone with "A Good Year"

Then -Baba's delicious ,mouth watering honey cake:

aunts,uncles and cousins overflow the room...

So I pray and change and once again

dedicate myself to the Holy One,

Blessed be He.

Amen