I have a question. My water polo coach's birthday is tomorrow, and I said happy birthday to him on Friday after practice and shook his hand and he said shanaha or something like that. Is it related??

 

Probably, George. L'shana tovah (transliteration from the Hebrew language) means "the year good," literally translated, I think. That's almost certainly what he said to you. It's a traditional greeting around the Rosh Hashanah holiday, just like "Happy New Year."

Though, I'm not sure how anyone who isn't Jewish would know that. I assume your coach is a member of the tribe.

John, thanks! Celebrating a wedding is always a wonderful thing. My mom and dad have pushed out our normal Rosh Hashana "feast" until this evening. Looking forward to some highly ethnic foods!

My real hesitation was several years ago when one of my best friends scheduled her wedding on Yom Kippur. She meant no insult, of course, but that was kind of a tough call for me. I don't even celebrate the Jewish holidays, but Yom Kippur is a very somber, introspective day, which I always try to honor (if I can). I never gave her any flak about it (and I played trumpet for her too), but I don't think I would do that again.