May everyone who is fasting tonight and tomorrow have a meaningful 25 hours of introspection and communal prayer and may everyone, everywhere be sealed in the book of life and peace.  We must not give up hope even when those trapped in Aleppo are living through hell and the people of Haiti are waiting for aid.  May the year ahead be a better one and may we all find the courage and energy to make the world a better place for all its inhabitants.  My niece, Lucy, is working in Mumbai this year with slum children helping to give them food and education. May she be blessed with health and energy and continued optimism.