Rosh Hashanah Resources: Message | Reelz with the Rabbi | Resources
Better Get to Livin’
By Brad Horwitz
“Better get to livin’, better start a-givin’.”
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, these words from Dolly Parton’s Better Get to Livin’ offer a meaningful way to reflect on the kind of lives we want to lead in the year ahead. With Dolly’s recent passing, we have been reminded not only of her extraordinary talent, but also of the remarkable generosity that was such a defining part of her life. Dolly understood that having success and having an impact are two different things. She consistently used her resources, influence and talents to help others—most famously through her Imagination Library, which has provided millions of children with books. She seemed to understand a simple truth: what we have becomes even more meaningful when we use it to make life better for someone else.
In Jewish tradition, we call this Tikkun Olam—repairing the world. Rosh Hashanah gives us an opportunity to think about our own role in that work. As we enter a new year, we are encouraged to look inward and ask: How have I lived this past year? Where can I do better? And what can I do to make the world around me a little better? We don’t have to change the world all at once. Tikkun Olam can happen through small, everyday acts—welcoming someone who is new, checking in on a friend, volunteering, giving generously, standing up for what is right, or simply choosing kindness when it would be easier not to.
At the J, I am fortunate to see these acts of kindness and community every day. They remind me that repairing the world isn’t just an idea. It is something we do, together, one person and one act at a time. So, as we begin 5787, perhaps Dolly has given us a little New Year’s wisdom:
Better get to livin’. Better start a-givin’.
May this be a year in which we live with greater purpose, give with greater generosity, and each do our part to make our community—and our world—a little better
Shanah Tovah!
Rabbi Brad Horwitz
Chief Jewish Engagement Officer
St. Louis Jewish Community Center
Reelz with the Rabbi
Learn More About Rosh Hashanah!
Looking for some resources to learn about and celebrate Rosh Hashanah? Check out these resources for any-age reflections and ideas for your holiday!
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
This site helps adults reflect and engage with the holiday through articles, videos, and miniseries.
Rabbi Sacks’s Rosh Hashanah Resources
PJ Library
PJ Library offers a variety of resources for children to learn about and engage with the High Holidays. Watch videos, download sharable activities, and find family-friendly recipes below.
PJ Library’s Rosh Hashanah Resources
Hey Alma
Hey Alma has compiled an eclectic list of High Holiday-themed movies and TV show episodes that feature fictional depictions of the season! From Arthur to Gossip Girl and beyond, you can find something for the whole family.