next year in Jerusalem

An Israeli soldier at the Western Wall.

Tomorrow night starts Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year. Although not one of my favorite holidays, I like it for its significance and all that it brings to my mind. I love dipping apples into honey (to symbolize a "sweet" New Year), and it's customary to say "Next year in Jerusalem!", meaning, hopefully, you'll be in Israel next year. I remember my first Rosh Hashanah after my Israel trip, never before had those words meant so much to me. I desperately wanted to go back - and still do. It's beautiful there, and in a multitude of ways, is home. 

I was just browsing iTunes for "Jewish songs" and was surprised at how many songs brought a smile to my face because of memories I have from day school - doing Israeli dancing in a circle, leading Passover seder practices, favorite Shabbat songs - songs I took for granted when I was in day school because I sang them weekly, if not every day during morning services. And after not hearing them for so long, they sounded so welcoming and familiar.