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Category: Elul
A Meditation/Kavannah on the Shofar and Civic Engagement
May the shofar blasts become our catalysts inspiring us to civic participation and the preservation of our democracy.
Rabbi Josh Ratner
,
Social Justice Commission
September 23, 2024
Elul
High Holidays
The Shofar Is Calling Us Toward Queer Reconciliation: A Kavvanah
The shofar's call urges us to examine our own biases and privileges, to stand in solidarity and to advocate for change.
puck glass
,
Rabbi Dr. J.B. Sacks
,
Social Justice Commission
September 23, 2024
Elul
High Holidays
A New Year Filled With Hope
Tradition reminds me that even if I don't feel hope now, it's still here. Maybe it isn't present right now, maybe we will find it.
Rabbi Idit Lev
September 19, 2024
Elul
High Holidays
שנה חדשה מלאה תקוה
המסורת מזכירה לי שאפילו שאני לא מרגישה את התקווה עכשיו - היא איפשהו כאן. ואולי היא נוכחת כרגע, אולי נמצא אותה.
Rabbi Idit Lev
September 19, 2024
Elul
High Holidays
How To Get Religious Accommodations At Work
Want to know your rights as a Jew in the workplace? Need religious accommodations? Find out what your rights are and how to exercise them.
Andrew J. Horowitz, Partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP
September 9, 2024
Elul
Government
Doing Teshuvah Outside of Communal Prayers
This teshuvah, written at a time when gathering was not possible, explores doing teshuvah outside of communal prayers.
Reena Bromberg Gaber
February 5, 2024
Elul
Holidays
When the Holidays Are Hard
Everyone celebrates Rosh Hashanah differently, but sometimes, the holidays are hard. What can we do when this is true?
Rabbi Lauren Tuchman
September 11, 2023
Elul
Holidays
5 Kavanot for Elul
Here are 5 kavanot, intentions, for the days and weeks of Elul, approaching the Holy Days. This includes poems, books, and self-reflection.
Rabbi Ilana C. Garber
,
Adam Berkowitz
August 17, 2023
Elul
High Holidays
What Am I Afraid Of?
As we continue the work of Elul, examining the words of Psalm 27 can teach us about going beyond the inner voices and what we ...
Rabbi Dr. J.B. Sacks
August 17, 2023
Elul
High Holidays
Celebrating the High Holy Days From Home
Celebrating the high holy days from home gives us ample opportunity to bring the sacred even further into our lives.
Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein
August 13, 2023
Elul
High Holidays
5 Myths about T’shuvah
Five myths that we tell ourselves about t'shuvah that keep us from doing it skillfully or doing it at all.
Rabbi Kerry Chaplin
September 19, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
What to Read to Prepare for the High Holidays this Year
Rabbi Mordechai Rackover recommends these reads to help you prepare for the themes, liturgy, and spirit of the High Holidays.
Rabbi Mordechai Rackover
September 16, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
Could The Terminator Do Teshuvah?
Rabbi Dan Ornstein teaches us: human freedom is ineradicable and that our dignity is predicated upon our moral responsibility.
Rabbi Dan Ornstein
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Being Called by God
When we say hineni to ourselves and our lives have a spiritual center, our existence will be more meaningful, and we'll live a more purposeful ...
Rabbi Mark Zimmerman
September 15, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
Rosh Hashanah At Home
Personal and at-home Rosh Hashanah rituals include candle lighting, eating apples with honey, and sharing meals.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 15, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Why Do We Ask for Forgiveness in Elul?
Asking for forgiveness not only cultivates empathy and humility, but it provides an opportunity for renewal.
Emily Jaeger
September 7, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
Elul’s Shofar: A Poem
Elul's shofar blasts daily remind us of all we need to do to prepare spiritually for the upcoming holidays and the start of the new ...
Rabbi Suzanne Brody
September 1, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
How do I observe Selichot?
It is said that Selichot opens the gates of heaven for the High Holy Days. This Selichot, do what opens your heart to the gates ...
Rabbi Kerry Chaplin
August 30, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
The Challenge of Faith
In faith: What matters in such things is the attitude of the one who is asking the question. What matters is an orientation of faithfulness.
Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson
August 30, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
Living With No Regrets
While introspection is healthy, too much regret can discourage us from embracing our unchangeable past and our openness to future choices.
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
August 25, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
(Not) Announcing Rosh Hashanah
On Rosh Hashanah, we do not recite the traditional blessings announcing a new month for a variety of different reasons.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
August 21, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
What are Selichot?
Selichot are special prayers recited in anticipation of the High Holidays introducing us to the themes of the upcoming holidays.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
August 21, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
When is the Jewish New Year?
There are four New Years, each with its own purpose. That said, the counting of the new year begins with Rosh Hashanah, in the seventh ...
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
August 21, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
Non-Ritual Ways of Preparing in Elul
There are many ways to spiritually prepare in Elul for the Yamim Nora'im, the Days of Awe, also known as the High Holidays.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
August 19, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
Rituals and Prayers Recited in Elul
The ritual preparations for the High Holidays begin a full month in advance with the onset of the month of Elul.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
August 19, 2022
Elul
High Holidays
Seliḥot: What do we recite?
Seliḥot, a series of penitential prayers, are recited in anticipation of Rosh Hashanah and the Days of Repentance. Here's what to recite.
Rabbi Miles B. Cohen
,
Leslie Rubin
August 16, 2022
Elul
High Holidays