The traditional greeting, Happy New Year, is still the one that says it best.

The fast reminds us that their are billions of people who live with hunger everyday, billions who live on less than $2 per day. We are so blessed in the United States that for most of us, we would never be truly hungry unless we chose to be. Feeling hunger, even just for a little while, is a way to connect with the poor, especially women and children who are often the last to eat. Its builds empathy and a realization of the importance of charity and of building economic justice and prosperity. Feeling thirst, is a reminder of how precious water is. That too is a resource threatened by population growth and pollution, which we can also do something about.

Happy New Year!

In keeping with the prophetic teachings (see Isaiah 58) we traditionally go to a supermarket right after the morning service on Yom Kippur and buy a few bags of food for the poor. The temple has a reception area for food donations throughout the day. It feels particularly meaningful to shop when you are hungry and yet feeding others. I may skip the afternoon service, but not the chance to shop for the poor.