Or, as I learned to say many years ago when I lived in Charleston, “Shalom y’all!”

Given that my father published the Jewish newspaper in Detroit for over 30 years, it’s particularly special for me to be able to say hello and offer Rosh Hashanah greetings to the community here in the Observer’s pages.

My family and I have only just begun to settle into the community, and already feel so warmly welcomed. Thanks to all whose efforts have helped us to feel at home so quickly. As a parent, watching our kiddos be embraced by their peers has also been particularly moving.

Rosh Hashanah is one of my favorite times of the year. Families come together for meals (and special recipes come out), our community gathers en masse in our synagogues, and it’s suddenly socially acceptable to put honey on just about everything we eat. But I also cherish that our tradition carves out the space for reflection and introspection, recognizing that we’re all striving to be the best versions of ourselves we possible can be, and that we all have work to do to keep moving in that direction.

Our community’s organizations are no different, and the High Holiday season provides a meaningful opportunity for those of us who work in service to the community to reflect on our organizational missions and evaluate how we can have an even greater impact. In reflecting on the purpose of the Federation, I think our work can be distilled down to three core tenets. The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville is here to:

1) Build Jewish community;

2) Grow Jewish philanthropy; and

3) Care for those in need with dignity.

And with those core tenets driving us, the impact of our work will be felt here in Nashville, in Israel and around the world.

Thank you for welcoming my family so warmly. Thank you for being part of our Nashville Jewish community. And thank you for being our partners as we welcome in 5784.

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and sweet new year.

-Dan