Rosh Hashana is approaching, and somehow (even though it’s late this year), it’s not really feeling like that time. But I just read a terrific essay, “The Birthday of the World,” by Jeff Mandell at Beliefnet. Celebrating the birthday of the world, even if it’s only symbolically that (and why “only”?–what’s wrong with symbols, anyway?), is something that feels very right. I might try a different explanation for the people this week who will ask me, as some always do, “what is Rosh Hashana?” (which they will inevitably pronounce to rhyme with Gosh! Sha-na-na!). Instead of telling them “it’s the Jewish New Year,” I might try “it’s the Jewish Earth Day.” Or I may not! 🙂