August 2025 School Newsletter

Welcome back Neshamah Parents!

I love when Jewish traditions overlap with traditions from other places in the world. Have you heard of Yi Peng – the Floating Lantern Festival in Thailand?  I hadn’t until I visited a few years ago and l learned about this tradition.

Yi Peng is a three day festival in northern Thailand during which people float small candlelit lanterns in the river. Lanterns are also released into the sky. The result, especially at night, is an array of glorious lights against the dark sky and water.

Yi Peng happens around the traditional Thai new year which usually falls in November. 

The spiritual meaning of Yi Peng is to release the negativity of the past and clear the way for a good new year.

Sound familiar? 

We have a meaningful Jewish custom of tossing breadcrumbs into a body of water on Rosh Hashanah. We reflect on our past missteps, apologize, commit to change, and then let them go into the water. 

This kind of physical release is just as important as the prayers we say asking for forgiveness. To say it is not enough; there must be an action of commitment. 

Learning about Yi Peng is an affirmation of a universal human need. Traditions may vary but all people have the need to let go of the past and start anew. 

As we begin this new school year, I invite you to jump into our Neshamah community. We are here to help each other float away what doesn’t serve us and bring light to the path we choose. 

Our Neshamah community offers many tools for our spiritual journey:  Jewish education, Shabbat, High Holy Days, Mitzvah work and more. 

Off we go!

Shavua tov – Wishing you a wonderful week,

Rabbi Amy