Rosh Hashanah Greeting from Alan Sataloff, President, JCC Chicago

This is one of my most favorite times of the year. The cooler weather, the start of school, sports and activities, all add up to a season of new experiences. And then, within the stress and chaos of everyday life, comes the beautiful stillness of Rosh Hashanah.

The Jewish New Year is a time for reflection and new beginnings. We think about our children, how they have grown, their saddest and happiest days and what we crave for their futures. We think about our own recent highs and lows at work or within a relationship and the victories and disappointments that filled this past year. We pause during the High Holidays to reflect. The true beauty of Rosh Hashanah comes from individual contemplation about who we are in all the varying aspects of our lives. It is at this critical moment of the year that our Jewish and secular worlds converge. We think about our intentions, our words and our actions and we take responsibility for all of it.

This quiet introspection happens in synagogues, in Hillels on college campuses across the country, at home, on a quiet walk, during conversations with friends. It happens everywhere and anywhere. We recall many moments, big and small, that defined the year. We make promises to ourselves and celebrate the renewal of our spirit.

I, along with our entire JCC staff, are fortunate to see so many of life’s moments happening in our community centers each day. We see first day of school jitters and last day tears. We see the first leap into a swimming pool and the first time a child boards a bus for a summer away from home. We see adults making new friends, learning a new language or traveling the world as one connected community.

Wherever you begin your new year, we want you to know that JCC Chicago’s doors are wide open to all. We are so proud to be a place that honors that connection between secular and Jewish life today and all the days of the year.

L’Shana Tova to you and your loved ones. I wish you peace, happiness and a sweet new year.

Alan Sataloff,
President, JCC Chicago