Every year before the High Holidays, I spend time thinking about the year that has passed and the year ahead. I think about everything: the important things, the little things, the goals, the achievements and the failures. And I especially try to think about what I can do better.

Looking back on the last 10 years of JGSI, I think we can attribute our success in large part to our entrepreneurial spirit and determination to never give up. At our organization's start, I found myself in a pretty vulnerable and insecure position. I was the only employee and everyone thought I was nuts when I ran around talking about an organization for Jewish grad students. When I would get rejected from a potential supporter I would get pretty down, and at times struggled. But at some point, I just started ignoring the rejections and kept moving forward. Eventually, I even began to see rejection as inspiration to try even harder. And as crazy as it sounds, by now it has kind of become my MO and I have fully embraced it!

Our organization has almost never been handed anything easily, but has been built on rejection and the hard work that follows. Each and every setback has taught us something new and pushed us to do better, and be better.

The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks said, “If you do not have the courage to fail, you do not have the courage to succeed.” These words are the fuel in my tank to keep going year after year. They remove every fear of failure that has ever been instilled in me; they are the transformative words that turn every rejection into an opportunity for personal growth.

Let’s be honest: none of us are going to bat 1000 this coming year. But if we have the right perspective, everything that comes our way will be another chance to learn, to grow, and ultimately--to succeed.

This coming Rosh Hashanah may we all be blessed with a year of happiness and health for us, our families, and all of humanity.

May you and yours be inscribed for a happy, sweet New Year!