Excitement. Anticipation. Butterflies. Trepidation? What does this grade hold in store for me? Will Mr. Stevens be as strict as I heard? Will I be accepted to the dance team? Will my best friend be in the same class?
The alarm clock rings. I am awake anyway, listening to the chirping birds ushering in a new era of opportunity. A larger size school uniform folded at the foot of my bed reminding me that I'm a year older, a year brighter. The brisk fall morning air fresh against my cheeks as I haul my backpack loaded with workbooks, pages waiting to neatly filled. It feels lighter than it is. Crayons, sharpened pencils, rulers; every item from the supplies list carefully handpicked with mom during the last few weeks.
The yellow school bus is filled with other children, apprehensive and exhilarated, the feelings blending, school floors gleaming, lockers expectantly waiting, school desks proudly claimed, Mr. Stevens himself is smiling, ready to enlighten the next generation. The bell rings. The new year is here.
(While this year's first day at school certainly looks different, we all recognize this feeling and memory, may we experience it again soon!)
Rosh Hashanah.
Excitement. Anticipation. Awe. What does this year hold in store? Will Hashem bless me with health, happiness, success, and prosperity? Will I be able to pursue, nay achieve my dreams? Will I grow to be a better version of myself?
The preparatory Shofar is sounded during the month of Elul, to arouse us from our slumber under the blankets of the mundane. I am already in the mood, shopping for better character traits, cleaning out my metaphorical locker from the accumulated grime, 
polishing my relationships with family, friends, and G-d.
The crowd gathers, bedecked in freshly cleaned white Talits (prayer shawls), the Shul expectantly awaiting, a gleam from the Torah scroll, each (socially-distanced) seat filled, prayer books ready to be filled with tears, emotion, and love. You can sense that Hashem is smiling with joy, set to inspire and uplift, to transform the world together with us.
The Shofar is blown. The New Year is here.
Please join us for an inspiring and meaningful High Holidays this year at Chabad. Outdoors in an open tent, with socially distanced seating, and masks required.
mile. of agriculture, barren roadsides, and cows, we were almost there. Almost at the gas station. A carefully selected halfway point of our trip, orchestrated to simultaneously break up the trip and refuel our parched minivan.
soon to be rescued by a hard-working tow truck driver. However, as the saying goes, when two Jews get together, it should manifest in a Mitzvah. He had already done one Mitzvah by stopping to help. Would he like to do a second by wrapping Tefillin?