New Year’s Resolutions
Does the secular New Year bother you as much as it does me? Even as a child I was really confused as to why were celebrating the beginning of a calendar year. What was really so different between December 31 and January 1 anyway? Birthdays I understood. After all, especially as a kid, your age meant a lot. You could legally drive, drink alcohol, and vote, things I associated with being a grown up. I understood the importance of the month of June, for there were graduations to anticipate or in which to participate. I understood Rosh Hashanah, our Jewish New Year, for the weather was changing to autumn, we were back in school, and normal activities began again after the summer lull. Also, it was in our Torah. It allowed us to take stock of our lives and pledge to do better.
But regardless of how much I try to ignore the New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day symbolism, at home we are inundated with football bowl games, parties, and parades. At our Federation though, we are focused on our Annual Campaign. It is a time where we take stock of how well we are doing, for how successful we are at our efforts directly impacts the much needed services we are able to provide to our Jewish community. January 1 represents the half-way point in our fiscal year and realistically, although our Campaign comes to its conclusion on June 30, we must have at least 90% of our pledges in by mid-April in order to establish a budget and determine appropriate allocations. So, for your Jewish Federation leadership, this is the time to see where we are and get our “second wind” in communicating with our generous community givers.
I admit that I am not convinced that New Year’s resolutions are that effective. But, I guess it depends on what you wish to resolve. Last year it was to lose weight. This year it will be to be as generous as I can toward my congregation and my Jewish community. I resolve to be an example for my children, my friends, and my community. I resolve to do this with humility. I will adhere to the saying, “If not me, than who?”
At this New Year I am also sad that my term as President will be soon ending. However, I don’t need a new year to resolve my continuing role in my Jewish Community and my understanding that philanthropy is a lifetime activity. As I recently stated, “True wealth is measured not by one’s savings but by one’s tzedakah. Our worth is based only on what we are willing to share with others.”
May this secular New Year bring you and yours good health, prosperity, and a tremendous feeling of belonging to our Jewish community.
Gary Perolman
