From the Editor

During the year we have lots to commemorate. According to the Gregorian (originally the Christian) or civil calendar, the world is celebrating a new millennium as of January 1, 2000, this year. Certainly this is a significant date by global standards, a day to rejoice in a new beginning in human history. But it isn't a new millennium for everyone. The Moslems marked Ramadan 1 beginning December 9, a month of introspection, and their new year will be celebrated on Muharram 1, 1421, or April 6, 2000. The Chinese Year of the Rabbit, 4697 this year, will change to the Year of the Dragon on February 5. The Jews here in Israel and the world over began the year 5760 since Creation last Rosh Hashana, September 11, 1999.

I discovered that Nirvana Day, commemorating the death of Buddha in 630-640 BCE, is February 15. International Women's Day is March 8. April 22 is Earth Day (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and April 23 is World Children's Day. May 14 is Mothers' Day and June 20 Summer Solstice. August 15 is celebrated among Native Americans as Kendenhah - Deer Has Full Tail Moon. September 16 is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone and September 19 is International Day of Peace. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month while the 31^st of that month is Witches' New Year. December 10 is International Human Rights Day. Diwali, honoring Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, is held during the New Year according to the Vikrama calendar.

We celebrate sowing days and harvest days, commemorate birthdays and honor the dead. Whatever calendar we use, however we mark the rhythm of days, record religious, personal or earth cycles and days of human significance, however we choose to rejoice, honor and commemorate important moments in our communities, determine beginnings and endings, the calendar delineates the contours of seasonal and shared time.

In some places it rains too much and in others not enough. It started raining late in Israel this year. On December 13 we had our first real downpour of the season, signifying renewal, cleansing, growth and plenty in the parched Middle East. But the date of most personal significance for me this last year is December 22. On that date I travelled with a small group of MASHAV colleagues from Jerusalem to a gathering in Amman, Jordan, to a reunion with 150 Jordanian graduates of MASHAV training courses, all professionals in various fields of development (see next issue of Shalom for more on that meeting). The meeting, where we shared experiences and communicated, was warm, friendly and interesting.

For my community the rains were a practical affirmation of continuity. So this year I celebrate December 13. And my own trip to Amman, a distance of 100 kilometers, is tangible evidence of symbolic meaning, cooperation, development and peace. I rejoice in December 22.