Clean Slate

In the Jewish religion, we just welcomed our new year, 5771. This was after a week of holidays where we reflect, apologize, confront our sins and repent. No easy task. This has always been my favorite holiday, oddly enough. I have very good childhood memories of my family celebrating and being together, and these continue today as I create them for my son. I also like the fact that Judaism encourages you to atone for every sin in a group setting so that no one is singled out for any one thing. It's our own version of "Don't ask, don't tell." I like the idea of doing it in one fell swoop. I believe it was Jon Stewart who commented that even in religion, we pay wholesale. OK, it was funnier in person. I also like the idea of having a mid-year new year, where we can make resolutions that get us through to the secular new year. Low bar, if you catch my drift. In any event, I feel refreshed and renewed and ready to face 5771.