Elul: The Month of Refocusing, Returning, and Spiritual Awakening
Look Inward, Pause, and Reflect
Elul is the month leading up to the High Holy Days. It is customary to spend time learning and reflecting during this period in preparation for the spiritual work of the New Year and Yom Kippur.
Elul begins on the evening of September 3.
All are welcome to enjoy these free learning opportunities and special events.
Experiences and Activities to prepare for the High Holy Days
Expand Your Mind and Spirit
Conservative Judaism Explained
With Mel Berwin
Thursday, Sept 12, 7pm
Whether you’re a new member or simply seeking greater clarity, you’re invited to attend this engaging opportunity to learn about our movement’s name, values, and distinguishing features. Open to all.
High Holy Day Musical Workshop
With Cantor Eyal Bitton
Sunday, Sept 15, 4pm
The melodies of the High Holy Days are among the most beautiful and powerful in the Jewish tradition. Join Cantor Eyal Bitton as he presents new and traditional High Holy Day melodies. Cantor Bitton invites you to learn and to sing along in this engaging and interactive workshop.
Teshuvah: How We Repair and Repent
With Rabbi Eve Posen
Wednesday, Sept 25, 7pm
Join Rabbi Posen to delve into the steps identified by Maimonides, the medieval rabbi and philosopher, in order to fully engage in repentance. In this 1-hour class, we will break down the text into usable steps. No Hebrew or text experience necessary.
Culture and Ritual
Hear the Shofar During Elul
Sundays-Fridays, Sep 4 – Oct 2
Sun: 8:45am | M-F: 7:15am
It’s traditional to attend Morning Minyan in preparation for the High Holy Days and to hear the shofar being blown. For it to be a “kosher” hearing, you’ll need to hear it in person.
Interested in blowing the shofar? Contact Priscilla: lamalo@comcast.net.
Simcha Shabbat – AMEN…Receive a Blessing
NEW! Fri, Sep 6, 6:15pm ~ Every First Friday
Young or old celebrate your birthday or anniversary month with your community. Don’t miss the opportunity to be called to the Bimah to receive a special birthday or anniversary blessing.
Head Back to Shul with your Neveh Shalom kehillah!
Sunday, September 8, 12-2pm
Come join your friends, the CNS clergy, and staff for an exciting and fun-filled welcome back to shul! Kick off the new year with the sound of the shofar, delicious treats, ALIYAH meet & greet, and arts & crafts. Visit with representatives from the many groups and programs that make up our dynamic kehillah. A day filled with community with ruach (spirit).
Calling All Teens! Join Us in Shaping Your High Holy Days Experience
Monday, September 16, 6:30-8pm
Hey there, future leaders and creative minds! Are you ready to make a difference, have a blast, and create something truly amazing for you and your friends? We need YOU to help develop programming for our HHD Services! This is your chance to take the lead, bring your ideas to life, and make our HHDs engaging and meaningful. Come munch on some light snacks.
Contact: srohr@nevehshalom.org.
The Feldstein Library at Neveh Shalom presents
Shaken To My Bones: Brian Rohr’s Book Launch Reading and Celebration!
Tuesday, September 17, 6:30-8:30pm, Stampfer Chapel
Together, we’ll celebrate the launch of Brian Rohr’s debut book – Shaken to my Bones: A Poetic Midrash on the Torah – a multilayered modern conversation, where Rohr lifts up, knocks down, questions, and finds comfort in our most ancient of texts.
Conceived at Neveh Shalom and forthcoming from Ben Yehuda Press.
Books will be available for pre-purchase or on-site. Pre-purchasing via the registration link helps us with ordering books and will guarantee your copy will be available at the event.
Heart & Soul: A Modern Selichot Experience
Saturday, September 28 – 7:15pm Wine & Cheese | 7:45pm: Service | Free
Join us for an engaging musical evening of pop, rock, and folk music featuring the unique talents of Beth Hamon, Ilene Safyan, and our own Cantor Eyal Bitton as they present songs dealing with the themes of Selichot such as regret, repentance, confession, compassion, introspection, and renewal. Hosted by Rabbi David Kosak.
Registration is not required for this event.
CNS Community-Wide Apple Picking
Sunday, September 29, 1pm
Apples and Honey for a sweet new year. Our kehillah (community) will meet at Smith Berry Barn to pick apples and have sweetness together as Rosh Hashanah approaches. Only pay for what you pick.
Contact Rabbi Posen: eposen@nevehshalom.org.
Feldstein Library’s Insprational Picks
Return: Daily Inspiration for the Days of Awe
by Erica Brown
Designed to lead the reader on a transformative journey spanning the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. For each day, the book offers a biblical- or rabbinic-themed essay, passages for textual study, and a practical exercise of self-improvement. The result is an engaging dialogue with both text and self, empowering Jews of all backgrounds to connect to the Days of Awe.
Entering the High Holy Days: A Guide to the Origins, Themes, and Prayers
by Reuven Hammer
This National Jewish Book Award winner provides historical background and interpretation of the ideas, practices, and liturgy and lends them contemporary relevance to today’s Jews. Reviewed as “one of the best resources available on the subject.”
Preparing Your Heart for the High Holy Days: A Guided Journal
by Kerry Olitzky
Using meaningful and heartfelt meditations and excerpts, Rabbis Olitzky and Sabath weave a colorful tapestry of repentance and renewal from the biblical and traditional sources.
1,001 Questions and Answers on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
by Jeffrey Cohen
This book provides detailed, yet succinct, information in an absorbing ‘question and answer’ format on every aspect of the High Holy Days, including history, liturgy, theology, and philosophy, as well as laws and customs.
For more books on the High Holy Days: https://nevehshalom.org/hhdbooks
