Elul Spiritual Preparation

Elul, the month before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is a time for spiritual preparation.

We are called to search ourselves, our relationships, our world for that which is broken. When we finally reach Rosh Hashanah, we are ready for a meaningful experience. We open our hearts, examine our lives and imagine a new year refreshed and renewed in community through spiritual practice and study.

In Elul, We Move Together Toward a Good, Sweet New Year We begin on August 11, and gather every Wednesday in Elul

Spiritual Practice Lab at 6:00 p.m.

music, poetry, and creative prayer in the TI Garden, onsite

Study at 7:30 p.m.

onsite or online

Week One:

Sh’ma – Preparing to Listen

Wednesday, August 11

Rabbi Andrew Oberstein and Cantor Alicia Stillman Spiritual Practice Lab: 6:00 p.m., onsite Hear Our Voice: The Call of the Shofar Study: 7:30 p.m., onsite or online Sh’ma Koleinu – Our Voices Cry Out! Is Anyone Listening…? As we enter the month of Elul, we work to open our ears and our hearts to the themes of renewal and repentance. We prepare ourselves to listen and be heard through the spiritual practice of shofar and the text of Sh’ma Koleinu, this High Holy Day season. Week Two:

Avodah Shebalev – Opening Our Hearts

Wednesday, August 18

Rabbi Suzie Jacobson and Cantor Alicia Stillman Spiritual Practice Lab: 6:00 p.m., onsite Avodah Service: 15 Levels of Ascension Study: 7:30 p.m., onsite or online Avodah: Work of Our Hands, Work of Our Hearts We begin to open our hearts for the spiritual path ahead of us and look to the Yom Kippur liturgy. How does this feel as preparation rather than as a final move into the new year?

Week Three:

Avinu Malkeinu — Crying Out Together

Wednesday, August 25

Rabbi Dan Slipakoff and Cantor Alicia Stillman Spiritual Practice Lab: 6:00 p.m., onsite Avinu Malkeinu: Sing unto God – Individual Prayer, Communal Experience

Study 7:30 p.m., onsite or online How Do I Know Who You Are? Metaphors For God in the 13 Attributes Our liturgy is filled with the spontaneous prayers of our ancestors. According to tradition, Moses cried out to God on Mt. Sinai. The Avinu Malkeinu was originally a desperate effort by Rabbi Akiva to end a dangerous drought. What are your personal prayers for this High Holy Day season? Week Four:

Unetaneh Tokef – Embracing Our Vulnerability

Wednesday, September 1

Rabbi Elaine Zecher and Cantor Alicia Stillman Spiritual Practice Lab: 6:00 p.m., onsite Finding Strength by Being Vulnerable Study: 7:30 p.m., onsite or online The Paradoxes of Unetaneh Tokef Before the shofar is sounded on Rosh Hashanah, we end Elul by delving into the deepest existential questions of the holiday.