No matter how we calculate the passage of time, whether we consider the first of January or the first of Tishrei as the New Year, the beginning of a year is always a time to pause, to reflect, and to contemplate.

Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah) represents a rededication of our spiritual self. January is designed to give us a chance to think of our relationships. Then there is Tu Bishvat, the New Year of the trees, and Passover, the New Year of our birth as a nation and a people – our religious maturity, if you will.

All can be summed up with a favorite quote from the rabbis of Yavneh: “I am a creation of God, and my neighbor is also a creation of God; my work is in the city and his in the field; I rise early to do my work and he rises early to do his. As he cannot do well at my work; similarly, I cannot do well at his work. Nevertheless, if you say, I do great things and he does unimportant things, I respond: We have learned that it does not matter if a person does much or little, but only if he directs his heart to heaven.”

Perhaps what the rabbis of Yavneh were trying to say is that we need to care about each other, to be concerned about one another. This is the essence of who we are – our character – our respect for the dignity of all humans and animals as well.

All who toil in this vineyard of caring exemplify these teachings.

How do we accomplish this in everyday living? Quite simply by being who we are – human beings created to imitate the goodness of God. And each New Year that is celebrated, whether secular or religious, gives us the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to doing for others.

Yes, we have a New Year for trees because we know that nature and humankind work together to make life livable and rewarding. And just as trees sleep in the winter and are reborn in the spring, we too can garner our strength to bring renewal to our existence after the cold winter passes.

Then we turn the page, and it is February. Usually this is a dull month in the cycle of life because December, with all its celebrations, also carries into January. But February seems to be lost in the shuffle.

Hold the presses – we do have things to commemorate and celebrate in February:

Valentine’s Day – a day designated for love and affection.  Perhaps we should consider making every day a Valentine’s Day. Love is not for a moment, but for a lifetime. In an instant we love and then in an instant we forget to love. It matters not how this holiday got started. We need it as a reminder that love is the glue that keeps us connected.

President’s Day – a day designated for us to remember the contributions made for our survival and continuity that are represented by the people we elect to lead us into the future as a people and nation, and to remember the sacrifices of those who helped get us to this time in our lives.

Black History Month – a time designated for us to consider equality and the brotherhood of man as mandated in Scripture. To teach about the evils of prejudice and the values of understanding every person’s needs for connection and acceptance.

Each of these observances has a common thread – dignity. Elsewhere in this edition of the Shpiel I have suggested support for a noble venture instituted by our people to follow the instruction given to us in a certain Torah reading. After reading it, please determine that it is a worthwhile effort for our continuing support.

So, dull February is not so dull after all. There are things to consider and to fulfill our dream for a tranquil lilfe.