The new Jewish year – 5779 – begins on Sunday evening! On Monday morning, as we gather together for our Rosh HaShanah service in the sanctuary, the first words we’ll sing together will be “Modeh Ani Lefanecha” – “I give thanks.” Jewish tradition teaches us to recite these words every morning when we wake up. They encourage us to focus on what we’re grateful for and this is the perfect way to start every single day, the perfect way to begin a new year together. By incorporating “Modeh Ani Lefanecha” into morning prayers, the rabbis built into our daily routine an opportunity to express our gratitude. They knew that taking time to reflect on what makes us happy, what gives us purpose and what drives us is crucial to living a healthier, more meaningful life. In the Japanese culture, the essence of “Modeh Ani Lefanecha” is captured in a philosophy…