Ten Days of Teshuva
Dear Friends,
During the Ten Days of Teshuva, the days from the beginning of Rosh Hashanna to Yom Kippur, I often find myself thinking about what has been and what I want my life to become in this brand New Year. I am sure that most of us approach these Ten Days with tremendous trepidation and that we all search within our soul to find a way to reach our full potential in life as we turn towards God.
This Yom Kippur, I would like to do something that I have never done before. I am fully aware that many times we find it difficult to block the world out and find the silence needed to begin the process of engaging our own spirit in a quiet conversation. In preparation to better understand our liturgy, the context of our lives and the meaning of Yom Kippur itself, I would like to share with you a video of one of the most remarkable and spiritual things I witnessed this past year.
Please if you can, indulge me in watching the video which I have included below. Yes, I understand that it is not usual for your Rabbi to assign homework before a Holy Day! Think about it this way – if I asked you to read a book by Wednesday morning, I think not many would do it, but — to watch a video? I think we all can handle it.
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 – July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at The Carnegie Mellon University on Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals.
I will be touching on different points of Randy Pausch’s last lecture right before Yizkor. Thanks so much for indulging me, and trust me, this video could very well change your life!
G’mar Hatima Tova
Rabbi Felipe Goodman