Rosh Chodesh Elul – The New Month

This week we will be celebrating the beginning of a new month in the Jewish calendar, Elul.  The concepts and lessons contained in the Jewish calendar are so central to our belief that it is necessary to teach and emphasize them regularly.  One of the ways in which Jewish tradition makes us aware of the cycle of the calendar and brings home its messages is by celebrating every new moon, ...

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Honey Cake

The Approach of Rosh Hashana – Justice and Kindness

This coming Shabbat the month of Ellul begins, which heralds the approach of Rosh HaShanah.  It is customary amongst Sephardic communities to begin early morning Selichot (special prayers of repentance) at the beginning of Ellul and continue until just before Yom Kippur.  Ashkenazi Jews start these prayers a few days before Rosh Hashanah, but have a custom to blow the shofar every morning after the morning service during this month.  ...

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