by Kathy Kaplan, Jewish faith
As we settle into 2025, we are presented with opportunities for possibility and renewal.
While the secular new year may not hold the sacred weight of Rosh Hashanah in Jewish tradition, it echoes many of the same themes: reflection, hope and the chance to chart a better path forward.
The concept of renewal is a universal human aspiration transcending religious traditions.
We all seek fresh starts whether in the turning of a calendar page, the birth of a new idea or the rekindling of relationships.
The Jewish perspective encourages us to actively participate in renewal, to embrace change with courage and hope and to see it as an opportunity for growth.
In Jewish thought, time is not a passive force but a vessel for action and transformation.
The new year, sacred or secular, invites us to examine who we are, where we have been and who we want to be and where we hope to go.
It challenges us to align our actions with our values to help build a better world.
While resolutions often mark the secular new year, Jewish tradition teaches that true change begins with introspection.
It’s not just about setting goals but understanding the motivations behind them.
In Hebrew, cheshbon hanefesh, literally ‘an accounting of the soul’, reminds us that real growth requires honest self-assessment.
By reflecting on our past choices, we can gain clarity about what really matters to us and how to pursue it in the year ahead.
This time of year also encourages the renewal of relationships.
The Jewish concept of tikkun olam, repairing the world, begins with repairing our connections with others.
Whether it’s forgiveness, gratitude or simply reaching out, every act of kindness ripples outward and makes the world a little brighter.
For people of all faiths, or none at all, the arrival of a new year is a shared milestone, a reminder of our common humanity and collective hope.
It’s a chance to dream big but start small; to take one step toward personal growth, one gesture toward healing the world.
As 2025 unfolds let’s embrace its opportunities with open hearts and determined spirits.
Together we can create change within ourselves and our communities to build a future that reflects our highest ideals.
Here’s to a year of growth, kindness and shared possibilities.
Enquiries regarding the Interfaith Network, City of Greater Dandenong: administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au or 8774 7662.
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