Betsy Frank is UHC para-rabbinic fellow and president.
The month of Elul that began August 26 precedes the High Holy Days and begins our process of Teshuvah, or repentance.
More traditional congregations blow the shofar each morning during Elul to remind Jews of the holiness of Rosh Hashanah.
In small congregations such as ours, we prepare for the High Holy Days largely on an individual basis.
However, this year during the month of Elul, our congregation, along with a group of legacy congregations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, are participating in a pair of special online programs to help prepare for the High Holy Days.
Second virtual event set for Sept. 21
UHC’s own Justin McCammon hosted the Jewish Community Legacy Project virtual event Elul: Pathway to to T’Shuvah on Sept. 6.
A second event will follow at 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 21. As part of the program, I will share Apples and honey: I like to hear the shofar blast by musician Ellen Allard.
Visit the JCLP event registration site to participate.
For a small congregation such as ours, the legacy consortium affords an opportunity to gather with others to enhance our Jewish experience. I hope you will participate in these meaningful programs.
Rabbi Stanley Miles to lead High Holy Days services
This year, we are honored to have Rabbi Stanley Miles, who grew up in our congregation, lead High Holy Days services.
We will observe in person and virtually via Zoom. Given the opportunity to social distance in our sanctuary, I hope many of you will attend in person.
After the High Holy Days, a student rabbi will visit the Temple on a monthly basis.
Our congregation has much to look forward to for the High Holy Days. I wish all of you an early L’Shana Tova.
Shalom,
Betsy Frank