As a new year dawns, hope, humility are in order

We are living in the days of being awestruck. The Jewish people around the world began what we call the Days of Awe this past Wednesday with the celebration of Rosh Hashana. We end our High Holy Days with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Saturday evening.

It is during Yom Kippur that we reflect on the year just past — in this case there have been 5,778 such years — and pray for forgiveness of our sins and for inscription in the Book of Life for another year. It is, to be clear, the most solemn time in the life of the Jewish people.

Each year I try to reflect upon the year just ended and look forward to the opportunities that a new year provides. In the past, these reflections have almost always centered on prospects for peace in the Middle East, because I believe that is one of the keys to a more understanding and peaceful world.

This year should be no different. In fact, it seems that if ever the world were close to achieving a just, secure and lasting peace in that part of the world — and here I speak of peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors — it would be now. In large part, that is because allegiances and ideologies and political realities on the ground are making friends of former enemies and creating allies where alliances did not and could not exist.

I admit I am always an optimist — that allows for easy disappointments — so I see opportunities in the Middle East