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 August 24.
All programs are free to CNS congregants. Non-congregants are requested to make a donation to our Lifelong Learning Programs.
Experiences and Activities to prepare for the High Holy Days
Expand Your Mind and Spirit
Choose to Be Your Own Champion
With Dorice Hornstein, Author & Keynote Speaker
Wednesday, August 20, 7:00pm
Registration Required
Choose to Be Your Own Champion—even in times of uncertainty. Drawing from her newest book, Dorice will share the six-step playbook for making courageous, values-aligned choices that elevate both personal growth and spiritual connection. Together, we will discover how the most important decision we make is not just what we choose—but who we choose to become.
Approaching Grief in the HHD Season
With Rabbi Eve Posen
Thursday, September 4, 6:00pm
Registration Required
The High Holy Days can be a particularly difficult time for people who are grieving or have lost a loved one. As we prepare for the new year join Rabbi Eve Posen for this one hour session to support/be supported by others who are bereaved and learn more about the Yizkor tradition and what to expect
at Yom Kippur Services.
Conservative Judaism Explained
With Mel Berwin, Director of Congregational Learning
Tuesday, September 9, 7:00pm
Registration Required
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.
Teshuvah: An Illuminated Paths Journey
With Debbie Plawner
Monday, September 15, 7:00pm
Registration Required
Step into the Oracolor Wheel™, a 20-foot circular walking meditation inspired by Jewish wisdom. Through twelve colorful pathways and 48 soul qualities, pause, reflect, and consider what you hope to carry into the new year. Walk at your own pace—come as you are, leave with something meaningful.
Culture and Ritual
Hear the Shofar During Elul
Sundays-Fridays, August 25 – September 22
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 at Morning Minyan? Contact Priscilla: lamalo@comcast.net.
Head Back to Shul with your Neveh Shalom kehillah!
Sunday, September 7, 12:00-2:00pm
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).
Click here to RSVP!
Selichot High Holiday Melodies from Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi Traditions
Saturday, September 13, 7:15pm
Rabbi Eve Posen, Cantor Eyal Bitton, Natan Meir, and Rabbi April Villarreal explore and share some of their favorite melodies connected to the themes of Selichot and the High Holy Days. Registration is not required for this event!
Registration is not required for this event.
Youth Activities
NOAR (3rd-5th) Water Gun T-Shirt Painting
Sundays, August 17, 1:00-3:00pm
Celebrate the end of summer camp with one more camp-style bit of fun! Bring a white or light-colored t-shirt to decorate in bold, bright multicolor. Instead of your regular ol’ tie-dye, we’ll turn up the fun a notch with water guns! Reunite with your shul friends & create a wearable piece of art! There will be snacks!
GESHER (6th-8th) Twilight Gathering
Wednesday, August 20, 7:00-9:00pm
Welcome to an exhilarating new year of Youth Activities! Meet the new CNS Youth Specialist, Meg Bernstein, & the rest of your Neveh friends for an evening of art & collaborative storytelling. You’ll get a chance to share your ideas with Meg to co-create an incredible youth lounge in our synagogue! Snacks provided.
BOGRIM (9th-12th) Back-to-Shul Movie Night
Monday, September 1st 6pm to 8pm
Join Meg Bernstein, the new CNS Youth Specialist, in the Lounge for a low-key hang out with pizza & a movie. We’ll screen a classic 90s back-to-school movie & talk about what we envision for BOGRIM for the coming year. Bring a friend & your fun ideas! This event is free!
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
