New Beginnings: School Year, Rosh Hashanah & Estate Planning

September always feels like a season of beginnings. For many families, the start of the school year brings new teachers, new routines, and new goals. In the Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year—falls at this same time, inviting reflection and renewal. Both moments remind us to pause, take stock, and prepare for the future.

Reflection: Taking Stock of What Matters

When I was a child, I spent many Rosh Hashanah meals at my grandparents’ table. My grandfather was a man who valued hard work, education, and service. He fought in the U.S. Army during World War II and later became an aerospace engineer at NASA - a literal rocket scientist. He was also a man who enjoyed life’s small pleasures, like driving a new car, and he never stopped being good with numbers.

I named my son after him, in the hope that he will carry forward some of those same attributes: curiosity, discipline, service, and a commitment to using his talents for good. Around the holiday table, those values were passed down not through lectures but through presence and example. For me, those meals were a reminder that legacy isn’t only about what you leave behind, but also about the values you choose to live and share.

Rosh Hashanah carries that same spirit. It’s a time of cheshbon hanefesh—literally, “an accounting of the soul.” In practice, it means asking what’s working in our lives and what needs adjusting. Estate planning offers a similar opportunity: an organized moment to reflect on our priorities and put plans in place to protect them.

Precision Matters: From Rocket Science to Estate Planning

One of the lessons I take from my grandfather’s work is the importance of precision. In aerospace engineering, even the smallest miscalculation can have enormous consequences. Estate planning is not so different. A plan that is vague, outdated, or missing key documents can create stress, expense, and conflict for those left behind.

Just as engineers rely on exact calculations, families rely on precise documents:

• A carefully drafted will that makes intentions clear.

• Trusts that are structured to avoid probate or protect assets.

• Powers of attorney and health care proxies that ensure the right people can step in when needed.

The details matter—because they make the difference between plans that work and plans that unravel.

A Season to Begin

My grandfather’s story reminds me that the choices we make today ripple into the future. Whether it’s the education we encourage, the service we give, or the plans we put in writing, these decisions shape how we’ll be remembered.

This season, whether you’re watching children step into new classrooms or gathering with family around a holiday table, is the perfect time to ask: Are my plans up to date? Do they reflect who I am today?

If this season of new beginnings has you thinking about your future, your family, or your legacy, it may be the right time to revisit your planning. At our firm, we’d be honored to help you put your wishes into writing—with the care and precision they deserve.

Out in the Community

Michael continues to be an active public speaker, including:

OCTOBER 16TH, 5:00 – 7:00PM

Conducting a one-credit Social Worker CEU through Coterie Hudson Yards

Love & Marriage Later in Life: Legal & Financial Impacts.  Topics covered will include cohabitation and pre-and postnuptial agreements. Register HERE. 

OCTOBER 28TH, 5:00 – 7:30 PM

Co-Hosting a Two-Credit CEU with Affirmed Home Care: Estate Planning and Elder Law Overview: What Social Workers Need to Know. This session will help social workers strengthen their knowledge of estate planning and elder law. Register HERE.