Keeping our dreams alive at Rosh Hashanah

The biblical story of Joseph’s release from prison, which occurred around Rosh Hashanah, and his subsequent rise to prominence, really speaks to me.

Rabbi Yitzchak Scher’s article, “Rosh Hashanah: Becoming the Person of Your Dreams,” posted at aish.com, states, “… then on Rosh Hashanah, a messenger arrives from Pharaoh to pull Yosef [Joseph] out of prison. Yosef suddenly finds himself standing before Pharaoh, one of the world’s most powerful kings.

“After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Yosef is promoted to become Pharaoh’s second in command. He is given the royal signet ring, dons royal garments, and is accorded great honor as he rides in Pharaoh’s royal chariot.

“In one day, Rosh Hashanah, Yosef goes from being a hopeless slave and prisoner to powerful viceroy of Egypt. The fulfillment of his childhood dreams is no longer a distant fantasy but a near reality.”

I relate to this story since I have often felt like I’ve been on a roller-coaster in my professional life, one minute a high, the next a low.

What has always gotten me through is that I never gave up on my dream, my mission, my passion to present hope and possibilities through the media. By keeping this vision alive, I was able to navigate the choppy waters.

This is easier said than done; it takes absolute belief in ha-Shem and unswerving faith that what happens will be for your highest and greatest good.

Sometimes that means being silent in reflection and prayer and sometimes it means taking action based on those reflections.

We live in a society that prizes outer movement and action, but it can be more powerful and effective to do the inner work first, and see the results in our mind’s eye, before we actually spring into action. That way, we know that what we are doing has been carefully thought out and we can move ahead with confidence and faith.

At Rosh Hashanah, when I sit in temple and pray, I reflect on the mistakes, lessons and successes of the past year and what I want to manifest in the new year.

I also pray for peace in our nation and for ways that we, the Jewish people, can continue to grow, do mitzvot and make a positive difference in the world.

PATRICIA RASKIN, president of Raskin Resources Productions Inc., is an award-winning radio producer and Rhode Island business owner. She is the host of “The Patricia Raskin” show, a radio and podcast coach, and a board member of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.