Fall is upon us

Zoog mir in Yiddish

By Sol Awend, GenShoah SWFL

The youth and vitality of endless summer has given way to the serious notion that the future of a new season is upon us. We Jews call this Dee Entoyven, The High Holy Days.

With the change in seasons comes an awareness of passing time. According to our tradition, we take steps to humbly confront Ha Shem, Our God.

• Miz noh menschen – we are only people, we offer meekly.

• Mot geh zindik’t – admitting that we have sinned.

• Meh miz bayten t’zeh Goht ahz Ehr zol ins fah gayben – we must pray that God will forgive us.

Jewish holidays are fluid. Because we deal with a solar calendar, as well as a lunar one, holidays either kimmen free, come early, or zei kimmen shpayt, come late.

Our New Year, Roysh Ha Shooneh, begins with the Days of Awe, Dee T’zain Taig, The Ten Days. We know what they are; we know what we need to do.

It all culminates on Yom Kippeh, the Day of Atonement.

• Meh faast – we fast.

• Meh geit in sheel – Synagogue (shul, if you’re a Litvak).

• Meh dahvent – we pray.

• Un meh bay’t zec’h oss ah git yooweh – we appeal to a higher power for a good year.

This past year has been a rough one for the Jewish people — physically and emotionally.

• Miz geh vorren ooh geh faalen – we have been befallen.

• Miz geh vorren geh straashet – we have been assaulted.

• Miz geh vorren deh maan’t ahz mi zenen Yeeden –we have been reminded that we are Jews.

• Mot t’zee geh zayen ah geh ferlec’hen trah gedyeh gaygen inseh folk – we have witnessed a terrible tragedy against our people.

It seems ahz dee ganseh velt ot faan’t dee Yeeden (that the whole world despises the Jews). So, we respond, voos zol men teeyen? (What should we do?) Ahzoy iz nisht git, un ahzoy iz nisht git! (This way is no good, and that way is no good!) Zoll meh off gayben?! (Should we give up?)

Ah krenk! (I don’t think so!)

To welcome the season, Loh Mec’h Alleh Ooveinshen Ah Geh zinten Yoor! Let me wish you all a healthy year! Loh mir zec’hall oss bayten ah mazeldiken yoor! Let us pray for a blessed year!

And finally, Lomir inz ibbeh layben fin haat oop ah yooweh viddeh.

The Yiddish may have been pronounced in different ways, but I remember my parents reciting those wishes pre-war with their loved ones. This was a chance to bridge then and now.

Le Shanah Tovah, Tikahtayvoo! (Happy New Year, may you be inscribed!)