This past Wednesday evening I joined Jews around the world in celebrating Rosh Hashana, the Jewish "New Year". Rosh Hashana commemorates the creation of the world and begins a 10 day period of intense introspection which concludes on Yom Kippur. The implications and associations of this period in the Jewish Calendar initiate a multitude of discussions most of which are outside the scope of a blog on unemployment. The concept of self-review to learn from the past and proactively improve the future resonates as I assume my place as a fully realized 99er.
On September 9, 2010 I received a letter confirming I had exhausted all unemployment insurance benefit extensions available. This was not a shock. It was merely restating the obvious, "What now?" I've been asking that question for 99 weeks without a fulfilling answer but the ensuing holiday of Rosh Hashana provided the road map, introspection. Review the past (year), continue with successful strategies and abandon failed approaches.
Specifically:
DO take responsibility for educating the public about the plight of the unemployed. Publicize rallies, share videos, tell the story.
DON'T count on Congress to do anything on their own.
DO remain aware of news concerning unemployment. (The link shows a partial list along with some resources).
DON'T depend on major network, cable or print news outlets. The 99er count began in March, 2010 and apparently isn't sexy enough for daily coverage.
DO stay connected with the unemployed community. There is strength in numbers.
DON'T Go it alone. One person did not create this mess, one person can't fix this mess.
With this battle plan, I plan to make the upcoming year a better year than the past year. Shana Tova.
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