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Elul

2023 Elul Programming  |  Online Elul Resources  |  2023 High Holiday Programming

 

What is Elul?

Elul, the month of the Hebrew calendar that immediately precedes Rosh Hashanah, presents us with an opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed in order to have the best possible experience of the year to come.

This year, we invite you to use the month of Elul to meditate on our theme: Cheshbon Hanefesh.

The term "cheshbon hanefesh" often gets translated as "an accounting of the soul." The process is one of introspection, asking ourselves how we can be better parents, partners, children, and people. This year we we'll look at the places in our lives we feel we're doing well, and the areas in which we feel we can improve. In the words of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, "If you're not going to be better tomorrow than you are today, then why do you need tomorrow?"

The Elul Project: Let's put a bit of ourselves into the holidays, giving voice to our own thoughts and feelings so as not to rely solely on the Mahzor, the High Holy Days prayer book. PJTC will be collecting your thoughts, hopes and memories about the High Holy Days, and sharing them with you during services. Check your member e-blasts for ways to participate.

Join us as we strive to become better people in this New Year.

What are the traditional customs?

The Blowing of the Shofar: It is tradition to blow the shofar every weekday after morning services to rouse us from complacency and jolt us into repentance.

Psalm 27: It is customary to recite daily Psalm 27, which assures us of God’s protection and also pleas that he not forsake his people.

Selichot: The prayers of forgiveness called Selichot, including also the 13 Attributes of Mercy, are recited during Elul. Some communities begin the recitation at the beginning of Elul, though Ashkenazi Jews generally begin the practice on the Saturday prior to Rosh Hashanah.

Elul’s Weekly Torah Readings: The Torah readings during the month of Elul provide timely cues for people to awaken to reflection and observe their lives…

  • Parashat Re’eh – Reminds us to see clearly the possibilities presented in each moment and to choose the path of blessing.
  • Parashat Shoftim – Invites us to consider the unfinished business that tears at our hearts.
  • Parashat Ki Teitzei – Demands that rather than impulsively ceding to our desires, we watch them for deeper truths to be revealed.

The Significance of Elul

The idea of repentance in Jewish thought is a return to the path of righteousness. Devoting an entire month to take dedicated steps of introspection, assessment, goal setting and forgiveness (of both your own transgressions as well as those of others), provides a clean slate and a purposeful path into a new year that is guided by truth and mercy. Our rabbis and Jewish leaders of old knew that this could not be done in a day, and with the customs of Elul, they set their people up for successfully leaving one year behind and beginning fresh in the new year.

2023 Programming 
PJTC has prepared many resources and programming to help inspire and guide your readiness for the new year.

NEW! Shema Circles CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
"Shema" comes from the Hebrew root "to listen." When you sign up for Shema Circles, you are making a 1-hour, September-May monthly commitment to a special group of 8-10 congregants. You'll spend the academic year learning, sharing, laughing and making new discoveries together through a combination of Jewish and secular source material. Sign up here by August 20 to share your date/time/location preferences, and we'll get back to you in late August to reveal your group assignment! If you have any questions about the discussion content or format, just email melissa@pjtc.net.

YouTube Series from Rabbi Goldstein: LINK COMING SOON! 
Check PJTC's Facebook and Instagram throughout the month of Elul for twice weekly videos from Rabbi Ben Goldstein. 

Community S'lichot
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 7:30PM, virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live and in person at PJTC. Join us September 9 at 7:30PM in Galpert Sanctuary for an Adult Education opportunity for our Scientists in Synagogues series, followed by a spiritual preview of the High Holy Days. The Selichot service invites us to explore the spiritual themes and the musical motifs of the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe, from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, so we can begin to prepare for this special time at PJTC.

SHIRAH: High Holy Days Edition
Sundays August 27 and September 10 at 12PM at PJTC
Learn, sing your hearts out, and even try a bit of meditation as you connect with the music and melodies of the High Holy Days season. No experience necessary!

Religious School (LBSRS) Opening Day & High Holidays 101 & 102: Sunday, August 27
9AM–10:30AM: LBSRS families, faculty, & students are invited to a Pancake Breakfast in the Social Hall, sponsored by PJTC Men's Club.

...followed by

High Holidays 101 & 102, open to the whole community!
10:30–12:30PM: Preparing for the High Holy Days looks different for all of us. Whether you are brand new to celebrating or an old pro, we will offer opportunities to prepare yourself—in the kitchen, spiritually, or learning how to use the machzor (HHD prayerbook)! More information coming in your synagogue emails.

Listen to the Melodies of the Season 
Cantor Ruth and the davening team have recorded a few of the prayers that we deeply associate with the High Holy Days. Click here to listen! We encourage you to play these melodies in your homes to begin creating your spiritual space.

Sisterhood & Men's Club High Holiday Goodies - Coming Soon! 

Online Resources

Prayer:

You too can blow the shofar!

  • Click here to watch a how-to video on blowing the shofar.

Engaging Elul as a Family:

  • Click here to read a My Jewish Learning article to help guide family members of all ages toward an enriching Elul.
  • See our ELUL for kids activity suggestions below! (click on the image to open and download a PDF)

Mon, March 18 2024 8 Adar II 5784