I would like to begin by wishing my Jewish friends on HoneyGood.com and those in my private Facebook groups a heartfelt L’shanah Tova this Rosh Hashanah. From my heart, from the heart of my Ultimate Concierge, and from our beloved pooch America, we wish you a New Year filled with sweet honey, the love of family, and the gift of purpose.

What Rosh Hashanah Means

To my non-Jewish friends who may wonder what Rosh Hashanah signifies, let me share. Rosh Hashanah, often called the head of the year, marks the anniversary of the world’s creation. It is observed with prayer, festive meals of sweet foods, and the blowing of the shofar, the ram’s horn. But beyond the traditions, it is a season for introspection, repentance, and making positive resolutions for the year ahead. It begins the Days of Awe, a ten-day period of soul searching, and ends with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

For me, as a proud Jewish woman, Rosh Hashanah is both sacred and personal. It is not simply a holiday; it is a reminder of the resilience of my people and the resilience within myself.

A Life Shaped by Faith and Heritage

As a young Jewish girl growing up in “Kankakee by the Sea,” I was often in the minority at school. That did not deter me. Golda Meir once said, “You’ll never find a better sparring partner than adversity.” I came to understand that truth early.

My large and respected Jewish family instilled in me another lesson from Golda Meir: “It is not what you gather, it is what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.” Throughout my life I have tried to scatter love, pride in my heritage, and commitment to community. I shared those values with my children and grandchildren. I carried them into my neighborhoods through education, public speaking, and volunteering.

Today, I continue to live this commitment by serving on the national board of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), the oldest pro-Israel nonprofit in America. The ZOA’s mission is to ensure the survival of a safe, secure, and strong Israel through education, by promoting U.S.–Israel relations, and by protecting Jewish students from harassment and discrimination. We also combat anti-Israel bias in media and textbooks. This work is part of my ongoing purpose, one of many spokes on the ever-turning wheel of my life.

A Season of Change and Purpose

The fall season always stirs something in me. The air cools, the leaves begin to change, and I feel a call to move forward with a positive spirit. Fall is nature’s annual reminder that change is not only inevitable but beautiful. And with change comes growth.

Darling, fall is the perfect time to stop dreaming and start doing. It is the time to reevaluate your goals, your dreams, and your priorities. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” I hold that close to my heart.

In my New Year’s blessing, I ended with the word purpose. That word has echoed in me all season. September, the harvest month, marks a new beginning: a time for reflection and resolution. It is the time to sow new seeds and trust that, with labor and care, they will bear fruit.

My Own Purposes This Season

Like many women, I live with many spokes on the wheel of my life. Each spoke represents a pursuit or a passion. This fall my missions include relearning how to knit so I can create a baby blanket, learning to play the guitar for peace and solitude, and continuing my work on the National Board of the ZOA. I am also making plans with my Ultimate Concierge and America to spend the winter in Arizona with my daughter and family.

These are not small undertakings. Each requires initiative, energy, and courage. And like every woman, I know the daily grind can make it hard to carve out time for our purposes. That is why resolve is so important. Samuel Johnson once said, “Your aspirations are your possibilities.” I believe that. Our desires and dreams are not whimsical. They are road signs pointing us to what is possible, if we dare to begin.

Fear Is Not Invited

If I have learned anything over the years, it is this: fear is a no-no word. Erase it from your vocabulary.

Fear has a way of paralyzing us. We want to move forward, but instead we stand still, overwhelmed by the what-ifs. The truth is, every new purpose begins with desire, but it only becomes reality through labor. Yes, it can be frustrating. Yes, it will require grit. But when we plant our seeds in solid soil with vision, persistence, and courage, we thrive!

A Lesson From Knitting

Allow me to share a story that illustrates this truth.

When one of my grandchildren asked me to take a knitting class together, I thought it would be easy. After all, I had once known how to knit. I imagined I would simply refresh myself with “knit one, purl two” and be on my way.

But reality had other plans. After class, I returned home with yarn, needles, and enthusiasm, only to find myself staring at a mistake I had no idea how to fix. The knit shop was far from my condo in the sky, so I sought help from a 96-year-old woman named Betty, who was known for her knitting skills. She graciously corrected my mistake.

The next day, I made the same mistake again. Back I went to Betty, who this time was knitting herself. She told me that my visit reignited her own desire to knit. I was overjoyed to give her that gift. But once again, I stumbled.

Three trips to the knit shop and three visits to Betty later, I was tempted to throw in the towel. But I didn’t. I persevered. Today, I am on a roll with my knitting, Betty is back to her craft, and we have formed a beautiful new friendship.

The lesson? Even a simple task can become a mountain. But with persistence, patience, and purpose, we can climb it. And sometimes, along the way, we give someone else back their spark too.

Why Fall Resolutions Matter

Since ancient times, Rosh Hashanah and fall have been viewed as the true beginning of the year: a season of reflection and resolution. Nature itself models this for us. The leaves turn, the air shifts, and the earth prepares for renewal. Why should we wait until January to set our resolutions when September invites us to begin now?

Think of it as turning over a new personal leaf. Ask yourself: What positive change do I want in my life so I can truly love the life I am leading? It might be something grand, or it might be as simple as seeing friends more often, picking up a hobby, or devoting time to self care.

The hardest part is not dreaming; it is daring. It is answering the call of a new purpose with courage.

Courage Over Comfort

My philosophy has always been to plunge in when I feel passion or curiosity. If I don’t try, I will never know. And if I fail, I have still won, because I dared to try. That, darling, is a win-win.

Many women fear leaving their comfort zones. But when we let fear rule, we miss the chance to taste new joys and discover new strengths. Instead, take a deep breath. Push forward. Trust your dream to carry you through the unknown.

A Blessing for the Season

So, as we step into fall and into a new year on the Jewish calendar, I encourage you to reflect on your own purpose. Plant your seeds now, water them with resolve, and watch them bloom.

Happy fall! Happy Rosh Hashanah! Amen, amen.