Teshuvah and the Courage to Change

It’s that time of year again: time to reflect back on the journey of the last year, figure out what went well and what didn’t, make amends with oneself and others, and above all, keep looking toward the future.

The keyword in Hebrew for the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah is “teshuvah”, which is generally translated as “repentance”.

But it also means to “turn”, as in making a pivot.

This dual meaning resonates with me: teshuvah isn’t just about apologizing or compensating for words or actions you may regret having taken over the past year—valuable as that may be.

It’s also about the active choice to turn toward the future, toward growth, and to redirect our energy toward infusing our life with meaning and purpose.

Pivoting, or changing direction, even by just a few degrees, can have an enormous impact on our future trajectory. Just as a small course correction early in a flight can mean the difference between landing in Taipei or Tokyo, the conscious choices we make during this season of reflection can reshape our entire year ahead.

Whether it’s reassessing our approach to work, realigning our priorities at home, or recommitting to relationships that matter most, these moments of intentional turning points create the foundation for personal growth.

I’d like to wish friends and family who celebrate Rosh Hashanah a year of health, meaning, and connection.

May this new year bring opportunities for thoughtful course corrections and the wisdom and courage to pursue an authentic and meaningful path forward.

Shana Tova.