How to fix the world: New Jersey spiritual leaders share their New Year's resolutions
A prayer a day, "unconditional tolerance" − and slow down on the roads! North Jersey's spiritual leaders have guidance both mundane and profound for those of us seeking a better world and a better self in the new year.
The year 2022 was undeniably turbulent, with a war in Ukraine, mass shootings, political turmoil around the globe and a pandemic that won't go away.
Thankfully, it's almost a wrap.
Still, even as "Auld Lang Syne" reverberates through the air and champagne corks pop on Saturday night, it won't be hard to sense the unsteady terrain beneath us and the uncertain times ahead. The end of a year offers a chance to reflect on what's been overcome. It also brings the opportunity to consider what we're capable of accomplishing in the 365 days ahead.
In an effort to capture that sense of faith and hope, we asked for advice recently from religious leaders around the region. Here's a sampling of what they had to say. Happy New Year!
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
When I think of making ourselves, our community, or the world better, prayer is always a good place to begin. A daily commitment to quality prayer time can make a real difference. For those who would like to get closer to the Word of God in the Bible in 2023, I highly recommend the “Bible in a Year” podcast or reading plan. Prayer, meditation and reflecting on God’s Word can inspire us to be a little better (often in seemingly small but important ways). If each of us could be a little better, our family, community and world would be, at least, a little and maybe a lot better.
Rabbi Jennifer Schlosberg, Glen Rock Jewish Center, a conservative Jewish congregation
The fact that we are so hard on others as a society is a reflection of the brokenness that is still in need of repair within ourselves. In a world that is so divided, I pray for a society where people give others grace, listen more intently, and give others the benefit of the doubt. At the same time, we create a better world for our children by doing the difficult inner work of healing our own bodies and souls. It starts with an acknowledgement of the humanity of the self and the other.
Imam Mohammad Charaf, El-Zahra Islamic Center in Midland Park
It's important that we work hard to establish connections with our neighbors of other faiths. We need to listen to each other and help each other and try to heal each other. We must celebrate each others' diversity and culture. We can't be afraid to talk to each other and get to know each other. We must connect with one another and promote interfaith activities and show respect to everyone. We have to stand together against hatred and violence.
Pastor Susan Dorward, Brookdale Reformed Church in Bloomfield
To make yourself and the world better, first know that God loves you more than you could possibly imagine. Then open your eyes to see people and God's created world with God's heart and eyes, knowing that because God loves them too, we must do everything within our power to not hurt anyone or anything that God created.
Pastor Schuyler Berdan, Calvary United Methodist Church in Dumont
In 2023, we can all do better by learning to love better. This world would be such a better place if we put ourselves in others’ shoes before using our words and actions against them. Spread love this year, and you will get it back 10- fold.
The Rev. Patt Kauffman, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ridgefield
We can make the world better by being kind to each other; can we listen more and shout less? Listening to each other does not mean legitimizing hate speech. All of us need to firmly disavow antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and homophobia. And I'd love to see us all slow down on these New Jersey roads!
The Rev. Eran Junryu Vardi Roshi, Eiryu-ji Zen Buddhist Center in Wyckoff
Entering a new year can be a wonderful reminder of the transformative and rejuvenating power offered to us by each new moment. Instead of pondering why there is so much animosity, divisiveness and discrimination in our society, we can choose to quell these harmful energies by cultivating unconditional tolerance and acceptance. Instead of wishing that others would refrain from causing harm, we can practice doing good. Instead of hoping that people will be less hateful, we can choose to be loving. This may sound unrealistic and we may often feel powerless or held back due to the actions of others or by our past. However, tapping into the immense transformative power of each moment we can realize our own immense power for radical change, and we can become a living embodiment of unity and cooperation.
Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Robbinsville
Everlasting peace, rooted in deep spiritual knowledge, is the true measure of success. Regardless of life’s challenges or one’s financial situation, with the right spiritual perspective, one can achieve balance and stability. … May all attain peace and stability.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
Look beyond your own fears, anxieties and frustrations by helping someone in need.
Interpret your politics in the light of your faith – not your faith in light of your politics.
Find regular periods of silence in your life and make the silence fruitful.
Rabbi Joel Pitkowsky, Congregation Beth Sholom, an egalitarian conservative temple in Teaneck
A new year's resolution for 2023: Let this be a year for all of us to truly see the other as an equal participant in the world we all share. Be curious about the other, be cognizant of the way your life impacts the other. By opening our eyes to those with whom we share this world, hopefully we can open ourselves to more compassion, more kindness and a greater sense of community in the year to come.
The Rev. Dr. Drew Kyndall Ross, senior pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Hackensack
Our church-wide theme for 2023 is “Do You Want To Be Made Well? Embracing Wellness!” We are encouraging our members to embrace the eight dimensions of wellness for their personal lives. They are: emotional, physical, spiritual, social, intellectual, occupational, environmental and financial.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Ritchie, Presbyterian Church at Tenafly
One of the most significant aspects of the Christian tradition is accountability. That sense that we have to answer to God for our actions and inactions. Even if you’re not a signed-up believer, that element of being answerable to a higher power is a healthy reminder that how we live has significance. We can live to ourselves, or we can live toward the world. Which will it be for you in 2023?
Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz, Congregation Adas Emuno, a Reform temple in Leonia
Here’s wishing that in the new year we elect to be not pessimists but realists − not ignoring the ways in which the cup is half-empty, but not forgetting the ways in which the cup is half-full. Even if we sometimes feel that this is the worst of times, remember that it is in the best of countries. Let's pledge to collectively uphold our highest ideals and banish our basest impulses.
Rabbi Gamliel Respes, Orthodox Jewish Adat Beyt Mosheh Congregation in Hammonton
Each of us is unique and special. Even if someone thinks differently, we can still show them respect. I think we can be a lot more kind to one another. We can make America better, and indeed the world better, by showing more kindness. A simple smile is a good way to show and spread kindness.
The Rev. Mark Eko Morris, Heart Circle Zen, a Buddhist community in Teaneck
Every day is an opportunity to take the awareness of our deep interconnection, fostered in meditation, out into the world. From this deep awareness arises the compassion to live ethically and respond flexibly to our families and friends, workplaces, and communities. Whether our concerns are primarily personal, such as economic uncertainty, or global, such as the ongoing climate catastrophe, awareness of our Oneness provides a firm basis for wise and compassionate action. Our lives then become our practice.
The Rev. Osvaldo "Osy" Nüesch, South Presbyterian Church in Bergenfield
Call it out. Don't be silent. Speak out. Accept good change but challenge unacceptable deterioration of ethical behavior. Be accountable for your actions and hold others accountable for theirs. "Let your decency be known and the Lord will be nearer." (Philippians 4:5)
Rabbi Ephraim Simon, Lubavitch of Bergen County, a Chabad congregation in Teaneck
My advice as to how we can make ourselves and the world a better place would be to increase in acts of goodness, kindness and selflessness toward others. The world often seems like a dark and difficult place and none of us should underestimate the power that a little bit of light has to push away a tremendous amount of darkness. In addition, spending time each day in meditation or prayer reflecting on our higher purpose, our potential and the meaning of life combined with focusing not only on inspiring ourselves but also inspiring others around us goes a long way towards making the world a kinder and more loving place.
Imam Yusuf Memon, Muslim American Community Association in Voorhees
We must encourage acceptance and tolerance for one another through unfiltered communication and dialogue, acknowledge our similarities while recognizing and accepting our differences, and we must agree to respectfully disagree.
Deena Yellin covers religion for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to her work covering how the spiritual intersects with our daily lives, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: yellin@northjersey.com
Twitter: @deenayellin
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey religious leaders share their New Year's Resolutions
