In a week, Jews around the world will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This is not the same type of celebration revelers enjoy on the eve of January 1 but a time when we review our deeds from the past year with the hope of improving ourselves and our actions in the year to come. Rosh Hashanah serves as an annual reminder that we must constantly work at becoming better people.

The traditional Rosh Hashanah greeting, "L'shana Tova Tikatevu - May you be inscribed in the Book of Life," speaks to our reflective desire to be ethical and moral human beings, to be better than in the prior year. Rosh Hashanah helps us remember that those of us who are fortunate have the responsibility to make the world a better place for those who struggle.

The message of Rosh Hashanah rings true today as it has for thousands of years. Today, it is more important than ever to believe in the power of compassion to repair our world; a tradition which is at the core of Jewish Family Services' mission.

At a time when our friends and neighbors may be struggling to put food on their tables and keep roofs over their heads, it is up to every one of us to do what we can to help them. When acquaintances may be under stress with the challenges that life throws at us, JFS can help. Over the last year, JFS has helped thousands of individuals and families in Central Florida get back on their feet; however, still more of our neighbors need our help.

During the High Holidays, when we look at ourselves and look to how we can improve the world, I urge you to join JFS Orlando in our efforts. Take up a food collection drive, volunteer to deliver meals to a homebound elderly person or make a donation of time, money or other resources to help less fortunate members of the community. For more information on JFS Orlando and its services, visit us at http://www.jfsorlando.org. or call us at 407-644-7593 and we'll talk about how you can join us in making our corner of the world a better place for all.

Eric Geboff,

JFS Orlando Executive Director