Everything happens for a reason, people change like the seasons

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sunday, September 29th and lasts through sundown Tuesday, October 1st.

Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Tuesday, October 8th and lasts until Wednesday night, October 9th.

During these days, please be thoughtful of those who observe them by not scheduling meetings, conference calls, or deadlines. For teachers, please do not schedule tests, presentations, or other mandatory activities. And remember that many of us host family and/or other guests for these holidays.

For those who celebrate Christmas, imagine if everyone wanted something from you between the mornings of December 24th and December 26th while you had multiple things cooking, preparations to be in services, and family and friends coming over.

Be thoughtful, kind, and inclusive.

And greetings: “Happy New Year” is appropriate to say on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. “Have an easy fast” is appropriate to say on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement when Jews traditionally fast for 25 hours.