2025 was a blur, late nights with friends, finals, moments I’ll never forget, oh yeah, and BBYO events. As we’re nearing the end of 2025, I am so grateful for everyone, everything, and every experience that I’ve had the opportunity to interact with. Just like every year, there were ups and downs, and I’d like to think BBYO gave me a huge chunk of those ups. Before 2026 begins, I wanted to share my New Year's resolutions:

1. Don’t take things for granted:

While I am extremely grateful for everything I have, I realized I often find myself taking things for granted. I am so extremely lucky to have a Jewish community surrounding me, a roof over my head every night, and multiple meals every day. It astounds me how many people don’t have food or a home. While I may not be able to go around the world and deliver food to the billions of people who are in need, or build houses for the hundreds of millions of those who don’t have one, what I can do is help out in my local community. More than that, I can show more appreciation for items I have, knowing that although my circumstances aren’t perfect, I haven’t had to struggle with many hardships that others do. This leads me to my first resolution. In 2026, I will strive to consider my surroundings and not take anything for granted, especially my friends.‍

2. “Become More Jewish”:

In 2025, I experimented with multiple organizations as I didn’t want my only Jewish experiences to be a weekly chapter event and occasional convention. Every rabbi I have talked to has given me the same response: “There’s no such thing as being more Jewish.” But honestly, I find that hard to believe. In joining other organizations such as NCSY and CTeen, and even being more immersed in BBYO, I have been able to experience Jewish pride to the maximum. I have found joy in simply learning. Learning how to wrap tfillin, about Jewish ethics, and how the torah makes me feel fulfilled. So, in 2026, one of my resolutions is to become more Jewish, or religious. I have seen how hard it is to just jump into something, so my goal is to start small, with attainable and measurable goals. I want to begin wrapping tfillin more often, at least on Jewish holidays. I plan on attending more Shabbat services, and maybe even staying off my electronics during Shabbat. I know that’s a lot to ask myself, which is why I think writing it down right here might help me keep myself accountable.

‍3. Spend More Time with my Family & Friends:

Often, I found myself busy. Especially with my current state of being in finals, junior year has been a lot. Going into 2026, I’d like to start anew. Looking back, I hardly spent time with any of my 3 brothers, considering we sleep in the same house. I realize I had only seen my brothers when it was forced, or when I was asked to drive one of them somewhere, but I want to do a better job of keeping up with their lives. In addition to my siblings, going back to my first resolution, not only do I want to spend more quality time with both of my parents, but I shouldn’t take them for granted. To me, this means being present at more family dinners. My parents have done so much for me, and sometimes it’s hard to really appreciate all of that. 

While I love my family, I don’t just want to spend time with them; I’ve learnt I have to make more time for my friends. I want to spend more time with my friends, especially my senior friends who, after December, only have a few months left with me in Texas.

‍4. Be Better: 

While it sounds broad, and it is, this is a goal I set for myself every year, whether I'm open about it or not. I believe that as American Jews, we are offered two real chances to ‘atone’ and become better. The first, of course, are the High Holy Days. Starting with atonement and forgiveness on Yom Kippur, and ending with Rosh Hashanah to start a new Jewish year. The second is New Year's. To me, being better means doing my best, and admitting that often when I had done the same task in the past, it may not have been at my best. I can’t start being better all around without acknowledging what I’ve done right and what I’ve done wrong throughout the year. Not only that, but I plan to stay organized, as a lesson I’ve learnt is that almost everything is easier that way, whether it be a clean room, or an organized agenda for school or work.

Everything considered, I’ve decided that in 2026, I’m not going to take things for granted, I’m going to be ‘more Jewish,’ spend more time with both my friends and family, and just overall be better. While I don’t have everything figured out yet, I’m taking all the lessons I’ve learnt from this past year with me into the new year. I’m stepping into 2026 with gratitude, intention, and an open mind for opportunities and experiences to come.