Zack Hoffman

Here is another definition for “mensch”: A person of character. An individual of recognized worth because of noble values or actions. Being a mensch is like a Jewish golf swing…it’s all about the follow through. You can give to charity and drive a fancy car and show up at your synagogue for the high holidays, but that doesn’t necessarily make you a mensch. Mensch-dom is what you quietly do on the outside to make the world a better place, without the fanfare and notoriety. I imagine that is the difference between being a mensch and a macher. A macher is an ambitious person; a schemer with many plans. A macher schemes to be recognized as a mensch. The mensch through good deeds might wind up being a macher but he never planed on it.

I am fascinated by the Yiddish word “mensch”. From my understanding of the word means: to be a man with integrity and honor. I have always wanted to be a mensch. I am like the character in my play, Nick Sands, who reaches down to try and hang on to the grains of sand. I reach down and try to hang on to a life in which I am constantly a mensch. Like grains of sand, they slip through my fingers until my hands are once again empty. There are men and then there are mensches. I have always known that to be a mensch is what I wanted to attain. In my life as a young man without guidance or mentorship it became just an idea that I thought was the privilege of others. My wounds and resentments kept me far away from the code of being a mensch until finally I rose up the white flag and surrendered. Today I am given another opportunity to live by a code of honor and integrity. How shall I walk?

As the Jewish New Year approaches I am reminded that we are all given a fresh start. Life is surprising. I couldn’t have imagined the year that has passed nor can I imagine what is ahead. All I can do is put one foot infront of the other and breath. All I can hope for is that I have been the best “Zack” I possibly can be at the moment and strive to be a better “Zack” tomorrow. I am not sure what this blog is about or what it’s going to be. I know I am going to ask for help, keep writing and give myself the opportunity of a fresh start.