After having my breakfast, this morning, the first thing I did was to look at the photographs in my living room that I have displayed in ascending form on my stairway. They are photographs of my ancestors. I spoke to them, as I do each morning, and said a prayer. This is a daily ritual that I do both in the morning and evening. Then, I placed a Yahrzeit candle on the table in front of the stairway. I will light it tonight. During the High Holy Days one should remember their deceased loved ones by lighting a Yahrzeit candle.

I went into my dining room and looked at the photos of my family, spoke to them and said a prayer in their memory. This is part of my daily ritual, as it is with the ancestral photographs. I placed a Yahrzeit candle on the mantle in next to the photographs of my parents. All my relatives will be with me in spirit throughout the High Holy Days, including Rosh Hashanah dinner. My parents will watch from the mantle, as we partake the food for Rosh Hashanah dinner.

My children (who live in other states and even countries), will be with us in thought, and their photos will overlook the dining room table. We will all be together in heart and soul.

I rearranged my Kiddush cup and decantur on the mantle, and then began thinking about Rosh Hashanah dinner, and what I will prepare. Rosh Hashanah begins with the Kiddush, so my Kiddush cup is placed where I want it. I also thought about my table setting…which for me is a huge deal, as I am very particular about appearance, according to the season, and any holidays within the season.

There will be a post about my table setting tomorrow morning, one I will write later today as my thoughts and actions progress, and I date it to appear on my website tomorrow.

As you all know, aside from books, photography is a passion and staple in my life. I try to give glimpses of my life and what touches me, through my photographs. My photography is part and parcel of how I view life, situations, events, and it relays my thoughts about cultural understanding and tolerance.
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
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