Happy New Year- L’Shana Tova

The fall ushers in the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, the holiday that celebrates the creation of the world, reflected in the name, head of the year in Hebrew. Traditional greetings on Rosh Hashanah include, L’Shana Tova tikatevu, which means, may you be inscribed for a good year, or “Shana Tova,” which means a good year.

A new year, a time to pause, reflect, and reset. I reflect on the past year, beaming with all that transpired–the birth of two new grandchildren, honored to be selected as a keynote speaker, settling into a new life south of Boston, and the many opportunities to share Celebration of Sisters, and in doing so, the wonderful people who have entered my life.

This year feels strange not feverously preparing and rehearsing my performance for the Celebration of Sisters annual skating fundraiser. I am filled with gratitude and memories. The publication of the memoir bearing its name provided the right time to move onto the next chapter. The Judy who founded the event in 2011 is not the same Judy of 2023. Twelve years older, wiser, a few more wrinkles, and more to accomplish on herself, in helping others, and honor the memories of Margie and Jane.

Forever will my heart feel a loss, miss my beloved sisters Margie and Jane, wish they were here to witness their sister Judy of today, the evolution, the work, and share the precious grandchildren. Is this really Judy? Is this a dream or real life? Margie and Jane are the anchors that provide me the courage and resilience to be where I am today.

A tradition for Rosh Hashanah and celebrate a sweet New Year comprises dipping an apple into honey. This will be a sweet year. I am now a grandmother of three beautiful grandchildren under four, each special in their own way, two spectacular daughters and son in laws who are growing into wonderful individuals and family units.

The future is bright. With all that I have lost, where there is grief there is love, where there is joy there is love.

My goals for the New Year are for health, happiness, peace, and joy for all. For me relish every moment with family, resume figure skating with vigor now that the broken foot healed, settled down to a regular writing schedule on book number two, engage speaking opportunities to tell my story, an important message so no one is alone with their grief.