Happy (Jewish) New Year!
Yesterday marked the first day of the Jewish Year 5773. Jews all over the world are celebrating the New Year, and the Jewish Community here at Vanderbilt is no exception. Although we didn’t get the day off from school, all of my professors have been extremely cooperative and understanding about missing class. I typically find myself missing home at this time of year, but this year was quite the exception. Both Hillel and Chabad have held services over the course of the holiday and sponsored Kosher meals. But even better, my room mate (the BEST friend a girl could ask for) surprised me with a traditional holiday meal that she picked up from Noshville, the NY Deli that also happens to be part of the Taste of Nashville program.
A little about Jewish tradition (in case you were curious): The Jewish New Year, similar to the secular New Year, symbolizes a fresh start. It begins the 10 Days of Awe, during which we atone and ask for forgiveness of our sins, in hopes of having a successful year. So, since I never made new school-year resolutions and my most of my secular New Year’s resolutions have fallen through, I am going to use this opportunity to make a list of resolutions/bucket list items that I would like to accomplish this year.
1. Get out and explore Nashville. I guess that I have gotten a head start on this one, with my hiking trips and restaurant adventures, but I am really going to make a conscious effort to keep it up, even as the seasons change and it begins to get colder.
2. Balance school and social activities. Most people forget about school when their social lives take priority. I, however, tend to do the opposite. I’m pretty Type-A, and I take school extremely seriously. This year, I hope that I can still manage to get my school work done, while I make more time for my friends and getting more involved on campus.
3. Make a new friend in all of my classes. This is pretty self-explanatory, but it seems like a fun thing to try this semester.
Shana Tova Umetukah- Wishing you all a good and sweet year!