TGE Family,

We are approaching a New Year, a time of reflection but also a time for new beginnings and excitement.

There is a wonderful web site called jewelsofelul.com that I found through the URJ web site. It has a collection of short, thought provoking stories written by various religious leaders. One, in particular, caught my attention. It was written by Rabbi Elie Spitz and, although the circumstances of this rabbi’s life do not reflect my own, his message spoke to me.

Rabbi Spitz compares our lives to a painting, a work of art. He says that he felt troubled looking back through his life because “(His) artwork had smudges.” Through readings and study, he came to realize that even great works of art, masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, had not been simply created in one pass but had parts that were repainted. Just like any great work of art, he concluded, we can use our actions to repaint and revise the canvas of our own lives. And, just like any great work of art, the “dark lines, drab patches, and the bright colors” all come together to create a masterpiece.

For me, it is a comfort to know that the dark lines on my life’s canvas do not make it any less of a masterpiece. The dark patches of my past simply create a contrast to the vibrant colors I choose to add to my canvas today.

I wish you all l’shanah tovah – a very Happy New Year filled with sweetness, joy, bright colors, and peace.

L’Shalom,

Carol Berger