Starting Over At New Year's

Turning Jan. 1 into a Jewish-themed celebration

By Rabbi Brad Hirschfield for MyJewishLearning
For some Jews, the idea of celebrating New Year's on December 31 makes them feel uncomfortable.

They see the holiday as part of secular tradition and therefore not "Jewish." Some choose not to participate because they see it as a betrayal of Jewish tradition.
Why is commemorating an American custom viewed so suspiciously? Are we afraid that it will somehow make Jewish traditions seem less compelling, or are we so obsessed with our own uniqueness that we fail to see our connection to the wider world?

If our purpose is just to be different, then it's not worth it.

How to Celebrate

The question is not whether we should or shouldn't celebrate. But how should we do it? Is there a way to mark the holiday Jewishly? There are Jewish insights that we can bring to the occasion that would make it more meaningful.

New Year's marks a time when people everywhere celebrate the possibility of building a better tomorrow. It symbolizes the human desire to demarcate the past from the future, the old from the new. But what if we really understood that our words-our resolutions and commitments-could create a new beginning? What if we really believed that our vows had the power to help us get past the past?

There is a deep human desire to be able to start again, not to be imprisoned by the past. We need to feel hope for new possibilities and see that our future is not governed entirely by our history. It's no surprise that the images of the Grim Reaper and Father Time look alike and that the symbol for the New Year is a baby. We cut down some of the old and make space for something new.

Jewish Ideals

These are very much "Jewish" ideas as well. Jewish tradition celebrates the ability to start over throughout the year. In Jewish life every day, every week, and at many other times, we are given the chance to begin again. To integrate another celebration is very much in keeping with our tradition.

In daily morning prayers, Jews thank God for renewing the world. Every Shabbat we recall the first moment of creation, and by doing so, give ourselves the chance to start over. At Rosh Hashanah, Jews everywhere celebrate the birthday of the world, and even in the Mishna, the code of law, we recognize multiple Rosh Hashanahs (New Year's), so to commemorate an additional one is not foreign to Jewish practice.

Tips

Here are some suggestions for making New Year's more Jewish:

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