Celebrating Rosh Hashanah Away From Home

It's that time of year again... Not sure how it happened so quickly, but its funny how every year, the same feelings creep up especially when it comes to friends and family. I left home when I was 18 - to study in another city in South Africa. I then moved countries when I was 22, when I put down my pen after my final university exam. Since then, I've moved countries 3 times, and traveled the world.

So, where is home? Is it where you are born, or where you grow up? Is it where your parents reside, or where your friends are? Or, where you live right now? To each their own. For me, my home and heart, is broken up into little pieces that I have left in all the places I've lived, and loved. Be it Israel, England, South Africa, Canada - they are all my home. So when it comes around to Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year - a time for sweet celebration and only good wishes, I can't help but miss all the people back home.

Each year, I feel compelled to call each and every one of my friends and family and have long overdue catch-up sessions. To reconnect with close friends and long lost cousins, and somehow make up for the time that's flown by over the past year - most of which I have not seen face-to-face as we are spread out across the world. But as true #momlife would have it - the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah fly by with a new school year, work, prepping for hosting people for a new year meal, bla bla bla. All I tend to achieve over this time, is stuffing my face with an absurd amount of apples and honey, challah bread, matzah ball soup, and whatever else is served over the course of our 48 hour celebration.

I usually end up sending a mass group text to everyone around the world, wishing them a very happy and sweet new year. And for that moment, I feel reconnected. Like time is not slipping away, and we are right back in each other's lives. But the truth is that deep down, there is a sadness. That I cannot be with all the beautiful and special souls that make up my home. Not just today, but every day.

Of course, I am grateful for where I am in my life, yet I can't help but long for all my cousins, aunts, uncles, besties, friends and family that have played a role in my story. I can only hope that this new year brings the time to reconnect with the amazing people I am so lucky to have in my life. So for now, I will wish you all Shana Tova, wherever you are in the world... and I hope to see you soon!