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The Hebrew month of Elul is the last month of the Jewish year. As such, it is considered a month of spiritual preparation for the High Holy Days. Special meditations are added to the daily service for some, known as S’lichot, or penitential prayers. (*The Saturday before Rosh Hashanah is also known as S’lichot, and it is used as a night of contemplation and study.) For several years, a group of Reform clergy and educators has collaborated on a series of Elul Thoughts. These are shared with our congregations in a daily email throughout the month. 

It is with great honor that we once again bring Elul Thoughts to our congregations across the United States and Canada this year. We have been sending Elul Thoughts to our congregations since 2008 when Rabbi David Young worked with Rabbi Alan Litwak at Temple Sinai in North Miami Beach, FL. This project was his brainchild then, and it has taken on a renewed life again and again as we connect with colleagues and friends who want to contribute. Every year we invite cantors, rabbis, and educators. Some years we invite congregants or teachers from other areas of expertise. This year our participants were asked to write on the theme of “Change.” We hope that you find inspiration for positive change from these messages, and we wish you a blessed Elul full of discovery and renewal. 

This year’s Elul Thoughts include contributions from:
Cantor Joanna Alexander, Temple Israel, Omaha, NE
Rabbi Batsheva Appel, Temple Har Shalom, Park City, Utah
Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, Temple Israel, Omaha, NE
Cantor David Berger, KAM Isaiah Israel, Chicago, IL
Rabbi Michael Birnholz, Temple Beth Shalom, Vero Beach, FL
Rabbi Erin Boxt, Temple Beth Shalom in Ocala, Florida
Rabbi Matt Cohen, Temple Emanu El, Orange Village, OH
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, Temple Emanuel, Winston-Salem, NC
Rabbi Glenn Ettman, Congregation Or Ami, Lafayette Hill, PA
Rabbi Cassi Kail, Temple Beth El, San Pedro, CA
Rabbi Neal Katz, Congregation Beth El, Tyler, TX
Rabbi Eric Linder, Congregation Children of Israel, Athens, GA
Rabbi Alan E. Litwak, Temple Sinai of North Dade, North Miami Beach, FL
Rabbi Laurence Malinger, Temple Shalom, Aberdeen, NJ
Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Albert, Albuquerque, NM
Cantor Jenna Sagan, Congregation B’nai Tzedek, Fountain Valley, CA
Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, Temple Israel, Omaha, NE
Rabbi Simone Schicker, Temple B'nai Israel, Kalamazoo, MI
Rabbi Don Weber, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, NJ
Cantor Laurie Weinstein, Temple Israel, Tulsa, OK
Rabbi Michael Weinstein, Temple Israel, Tulsa, OK
Rabbi Stephen Wise, Shaarei-Beth El Congregation, Oakville, ON, Canada
Cheryl Wise, Shaarei-Beth El Congregation, Oakville, ON, Canada
Rabbi David N. Young, KAM Isaiah Israel, Chicago, IL

On Fridays, we email two Elul Thoughts, out of respect for those of us who choose not to look at email on Shabbat. We wish you a blessed and restful Shabbat and hope you continue finding inspiration in our Elul Thoughts.

1 Elul 5783 | August 18, 2023
Rabbi Alan Cook

As an aficionado of classic television, when I think of change, I think of two episodes from well-known sitcoms of the 1970s.  The first is an episode of All in the Family, titled “Edith’s Problem,” originally aired in 1972.  Edith experiences menopause, and her husband, Archie, becomes impatient with her mood swings and the other side-effects she is manifesting.  He gives her an ultimatum: “If you're gonna have the change of life, you gotta do it right now. I'm gonna give you just 30 seconds. Now c'mon and change.”
 
The second episode that comes to my mind is also from 1972.  It’s called “Dough Re Mi,” from The Brady Bunch.  The six Brady siblings have formed a singing group to help Greg make some money, but middle brother Peter begins to experience vocal changes due to puberty. Reconfiguring their plans to accommodate him, they come up with the song, “Time to Change.”
 
Both of these stories present physiological changes, over which we have little control.  Edith and Peter’s changes are not initially welcomed, yet they and their families learn to adapt and accept them.  
 
For us, the changes we encounter as we enter this new year 5784 may be adaptations we make of our own choosing, or they may come as the result of circumstances beyond our control.  We have a choice in how we respond to these changes and incorporate them into our character.  However change comes, may God give us the insight and resilience to respond with grace.

2 Elul 5783 | August 19, 2023
The Joys and Challenges of Change: A Musical Reflection
Cantor Jenna Sagan

Change can be both exhilarating and frightening. Whether it's a new job, a new relationship, or a new chapter in life, change can bring a mix of emotions. For the Jewish community, change is a central theme in our history. From the Exodus from Egypt to the establishment of the State of Israel, we have faced significant changes throughout the ages. As I think of the many changes that may come this year, I turn to our musical tradition for hope and inspiration. 

One of the most famous Jewish songs about change is Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu. This song longs for a time when peace will come to the world. It reminds us that change can bring hope and a better future. Of course, change can also be challenging. Change is a natural part of life; we must accept that things will not always stay the same, and that can be difficult. 

The concept of Teshuvah, repentance, emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and change. We look within ourselves, acknowledge our mistakes, and make amends. This process can be uncomfortable, but it allows us to grow and become better versions of ourselves.

I have curated a playlist of songs that reflect the joys and challenges of change. Click here to listen to the Elul 5783 playlist. 

This Elul, may we find hope and strength in the face of change, and may we continue to work towards a brighter future for ourselves and our communities.