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Friday, September 22, 2006
Photo Friday (vol. LXXVIII) [Rosh Hashannah edition]
As I made my rounds today delivering honey to friends, I started thinking (again) about how many small things we have to be thankful for here.
First of all, there is the fact that I don't have to use up my vacation days at work to observe the Jewish holidays. It is such a small thing... but it is also huge. In the US Zahava and I used to be left with maybe a long weekend of vacation time after we had burned through all the time off for Rosh Hashannah (2 days), Yom Kippur (1 day), Sukkot (4 days), Purim (1 day), Passover (8 days), Shavuot (2 days) and Tisha B'Av (1 day). I'm sure I missed a few.
My point is that being able to use vacation time for, well, vacation is an incredible relief. And being able to celebrate holidays without having to deal with the resentment of coworkers who have to cover for you while you're out... or the bitterness at having to squander vacation days for religious holidays (something that isn't necessary for Christian or Federal holidays) is like a city kid seeing a meadow for the first time.
As if that wasn't enough to be thankful for, each year I am taken by surprise by the gestures, small and large, made by the company for which I work. This past week I got a memo to come to the main office to pick up something. When I got there the secretary handed me two Small boxes and explained they were new years gifts for the big kids... mini MP3 players.
I walked back to my office grinning from ear to ear... not because of the value of the gifts (although I'm sure they weren't cheap), but at the value of the gesture. It wasn't just the start of a new year for me... I wasn't a stranger anymore.
Needless to say Ari and Gili loved the gifts.
But then a few days later I got another memo to come to the office and this time the gift was for me:
When I got back to my office I opened it up and found two bottles of wine, a bottle of olive oil, some stuff for making coffee-flavored milk and a jar of coffee (OK, it's instant but it's the thought that counts):
I get really sappy about this every year, but it provides such a wonderful sense of belonging to see EVERYONE in the company spending the last hour or two of the day before the holiday going from office too office extending wishes to each other for a healthy, happy and prosperous new year... and then walking out to their cars carrying their gift boxes from the company.
Regardless of which calendar you follow, I'd like to wish all the wonderful people who visit this site a year of peace, health and all the happiness you can stand. In addition, may all our problems be the kind that can be solved in 10 minutes or less!
L'Shannah Tovah!
Posted by David Bogner on September 22, 2006 | Permalink
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Amen.
May the Bogners have a year of laughter, health, and prosperity.
Shana tova!
Posted by: Doctor Bean | Sep 22, 2006 3:54:23 PM
From this part of the World...
Erev Shanah Tova!! :-)
All the best.
Posted by: pk | Sep 22, 2006 5:40:32 PM
Yes, may you have a healthy, safe, fulfilling and sweet year a ahead for you and your family. It must be wonderful to work for such a thoughtful company and to live in a country that "gets it". If you want a moment to drool you can check out my round challahs I made yesterday.
http://thsprague.blogspot.com/2006/09/rosh-hashana-preparation.html
I had to put them in foil and hide them in the fridge or I'd end up slapping my kids' and father's hands (he lives with us) away from the bread.
Shana Tova!
Posted by: Tracey | Sep 22, 2006 5:43:57 PM
happy and healthy new year to all.
Posted by: weese | Sep 22, 2006 6:16:40 PM
Wishing you and your family health and happiness, and peace in Israel.
Now, about your post - Israeli's dont know how to put packages together. Real weird combo - Oil, wine, coffee, and flavored milk?
Some americans there, should start a career on gift packing, cause the Israeli's just dont understand thematics!
Posted by: Shevy Traub | Sep 22, 2006 6:29:22 PM
Wishing you and your family health and happiness.
Posted by: jaime | Sep 22, 2006 7:03:49 PM
A good year to you and all the family--wishing you all health and every happiness. I hope we meet again soon.
Posted by: Judy | Sep 22, 2006 7:54:18 PM
Shana Tova to all of the Bogners.
Posted by: Jack | Sep 22, 2006 8:25:12 PM
Thanks for taking the time to share such a wonderful day!
May the tears you shed this year be happy ones!
Posted by: Dina | Sep 22, 2006 8:42:17 PM
L' shanah tovah tikateivu v' tichateimu, David. A sweet and healthy year to you and your family and friends.
Posted by: Elisson | Sep 22, 2006 9:12:09 PM
A happy and healthy New Year to you and your family!
I am still getting hits from your blog for that infamous crocodile as well as the mean dumb blonde joke, by the way. Maybe they will keep orbiting round and round in cyberspace forever.
Posted by: Gail | Sep 22, 2006 9:51:33 PM
Nothing fancy to add, just wanted to say Ktiva vChatima Tova. Hope the new year is sweet for you all.
Posted by: Faye | Sep 22, 2006 10:08:28 PM
L'shana Tova!
Posted by: seawitch | Sep 22, 2006 10:55:58 PM
Shana Tovah!
Posted by: Fern | Sep 22, 2006 10:59:47 PM
Thankyou so much David. I wish the same to your and yours.
Posted by: siobhan | Sep 22, 2006 11:35:26 PM
That's pretty cool of your company... : )
Shana Tovah, and have a wonderful year!
Posted by: Irina | Sep 23, 2006 4:26:26 AM
L'shana tova tikateivu v'teichateimu...
Posted by: matlabfreak | Sep 25, 2006 8:02:41 AM
Hey... my family used to love that coffee-flavored syrup, then suddenly it disappeared from all the stores in our neighborhood!
Another reason to make aliyah...
Posted by: ralphie | Sep 25, 2006 11:55:10 PM
A slightly belated Shana Tova for you David and your beautiful family. May this year be full of great and happy moments.
Posted by: Sandra (AR) | Sep 26, 2006 6:51:36 PM
Reason #967 to make aliyah....Gmar Chatima Tova...
Posted by: mcaryeh | Sep 28, 2006 8:03:25 AM
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