Erev Rosh Hashana 5786

To My Dear Kallas,

As we stand together at the threshold of a brand-new year, our hearts feel so full. Full of hopes, dreams, tefillos, and yes — maybe even a few resolutions or kabbalos that we whisper quietly to ourselves.

There is so much to be grateful for, and at the same time, so much we daven for — for our families, for ourselves, and for Klal Yisrael.

It’s only natural to hope for change in the new year. We all wish our relationships could be smoother — if only my boss were easier, my children calmer, my spouse more in tune.

But if we wait for everyone else to change, we end up stuck and frustrated.

The truth is much more encouraging: so much of the calm, happiness, and balance we long for begins with us. When we shift even a little inside ourselves, the ripple effects are felt — in our homes, our friendships, our classrooms, and our communities.

Small shifts can bring big change.

Here are some areas I’ve been thinking about for myself — maybe you’ll find them meaningful too:

• To meet stress and challenges with more calm (yes, even during carpool, homework time, erev Shabbos rush, or children’s squabbles…)
• To notice my feelings and pause before reacting
• To see life with a bit more positivity — the glass half full
• To appreciate the blessings already here, instead of waiting for “someday”
• To offer more patience and understanding to the people I love most
• To know when to say “yes,” and when to gently (but firmly) say “no”
• To nurture warmer, closer connections within my family
• To bring more kindness and appreciation into my marriage
• To forgive more quickly and let go of grudges (life’s too short to keep score)
• To notice when I’m judging others, and work harder to see their good
• To stand up for what’s right, even when it feels hard
• To be generous with my time, words, and smiles
• To give people the benefit of the doubt — because most of us are really just doing our best
• To be reliable — keeping my word and following through
• To respect differences and treat everyone with dignity
• To remember that everyone has something to teach me
• To be thoughtful with my words — choosing ones that build, not break
• To practice gratitude — not just once a day, but over and over, until it becomes part of me

Every small step I take improves the quality of my own life, and almost automatically, the quality of my relationships too.

May this new year bring sweetness, laughter, growth, and countless reasons to celebrate together.

כתיבה וחתימה טובה