Elul is the month leading up to the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.  It is a month-long chance to prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days, so that we do not arrive at the moment of Rosh Hashanah jarred into repentance.  We take time to look inward and ask ourselves, "Who am I?  Who do I want to be?  How can I become the best version of myself in the coming year?  Whose forgiveness do I need in order to enter the new year with a fresh start?  Who do I need to forgive both for their sake and for my own sake, so that I do not hold on to anger and sadness?"  The act of deeply contemplating these questions is called teshuvah.

 

On Saturday, August 22, we will gather for Seudah Shlishit (the festive third meal of Shabbat for which we will provide a light dinner), a brief ceremony marking Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the month of Elul), and a short program in which we will begin the process of teshuvah as a community.  The final part of our evening will include simultaneous programs for children led by Rabbi Lori and adults led by Rabbi Lauren.  Please join us for this special opportunity to enter into the holiest time of year together.