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MANSFIELD - "New Year" means different things to different people. To an accountant, it means tax returns, for a teacher it means a new class, and for a Jew it means long hours in the synagogue. Why is prayer so central to New Year celebrations? Good resolution, or perhaps a bit of soul-searching, seem to be more appropriate ways to start a new year.

Recently I had reason to fly to Pittsburgh. An early-morning flight meant that I had to pray the morning prayers in the airport, and so, after check-in and security, I proceeded to a corner of the gate area to commune with G-d.

It was a surreal experience: Wrapped in my tallit (prayer shawl) and tefillin (black leather boxes containing scrolls from the Bible, worn by Jewish males on weekdays), I was trying to direct my thoughts upwards, when a young Muslim came over, opened a prayer mat, and he too began his quiet conversation with G-d. The contrast stuck me; here were two people of different faiths, talking to G-d, while millions of people were going about their business just meters away.

I have no doubt that despite the poor turnout for "shacharis" (the word for the morning prayer service in Hebrew) in Terminal C that morning, many of the millions of people whispered their own prayers to G-d as their planes roared down the runway. Prayer is actually a very personal thing. You see, the Hebrew word "tefillah," commonly translated as 'prayer,' actually means 'connection', and when a person prays to G-d, they are connecting themselves to Him.

This is why prayer is such an important part of the Jewish New Year. Our new year is not about stock-taking or soul-searching - we have the prelude of the month of Elul for that. Rosh Hashanah is about re-establishing our connection with G-d. It is about reconnecting with our Creator, King and Father and accepting Him back into our lives. As any marriage counselor will tell you, in order to keep a relationship strong, communication is vital. This is what our praying on Rosh Hashanah is all about.

Of course, we ask for health, wealth and a good golf handicap, but really we are welcoming G-d back into our lives, and re-establishing our line of communication.

G-d is waiting to hear from us. This New Year, lets pick up a "siddur: (prayer book), and at least say hello.

Rabbi Yossi Kivman is the spiritual leader of the Chabad Jewish Center in Mansfield. The Chabad Jewish Center will be having all of the High Holiday services, on Rosh Hashanah (Monday evening through Wednesday, Sept. 29-Oct. 1 and on Yom Kippur (Wednesday evening and Thursday, Oct. 8-9 ) at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield. To find out more, and to reserve your place, log onto JewishMansfield.com or call 508-339-8767.