This past summer I had the privilege of returning home to Boston for my 20th High School reunion. It was great to reconnect with old friends and to relive great memories. Many years have passed since we experienced our formative years together, and we have spread out all over the map. We have taken many different paths since our shared beginning, and we each have our own journey to pursue. But what was so great was remembering where we came from, reliving what inspired us, and reflecting on how far we each have come. In a certain sense, reuniting with old friends helped me recalibrate my route towards my own goals by remembering where I started and where I wanted to go.
As we approach the new year, with Rosh Hashana just hours away, it occurs to me that this too is a Reunion of sorts. It is a Reunion with our Creator, to whom we reaffirm our allegiance and rededicate our efforts. And it is a Reunion with ourselves, the true selves inside, the great person we know exists deep inside of us. It is a chance to reflect on who we are, where we come from, where we are heading, and how we want to get there.
So this Rosh Hashana I would like to challenge you. Take a few moments at some point in the Tefilla, and think of yourself when you were in High School. Ok, ignore the social awkwardness, the self-centeredness, and the thinking that you knew more than all the adults in your life. But think about your hopes, your insecurities, the people and moments that inspired you. Give yourself a virtual Reunion. And think about the journey you have taken since then. What have you learned since then? Where have you gotten off track? If you were starting your journey from scratch right now where would you want to go? What kind of person would you want to be?
Reunions can be a little uncomfortable. Have you aged well? Have you accomplished as much as your old peers? Will they be happy to see you? And maybe reuniting with ourselves is a little uncomfortable as well. But you know what, after the 1st 10 minutes it feels as if you were just there yesterday. It just feels right. This Rosh Hashana let us reunite with ourselves. If we do, I guarantee it will be the Reunion of a Lifetime.
