INSPIRATIONS FOR ELUL
Traditionally, we spend the month of Elul in preparation for the High Holy Day season. We reflect, we learn and we pray together as we ready our hearts and minds for the intensity of the Days of Awe. Today, we also emphasize the importance of being together as a community, and the strength we gain from one another through this reflection process. We will learn from our clergy, staff, and fellow congregants. Join us for any and all of our Month of Elul programs this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
Writing the Days of Awe—
Personal Journaling
Get a
writing prompt
for every day
of the month
Thursday, Sept. 10, 7:00pm
How to Blow the Shofar
Phil Rubin
and Dan Fendel
will show us
how it's done.
Saturday, Aug. 29, 10:30am
Guided Meditation
This week's theme: Listening for the "still, small voice" and extending and Receiving Love and Compassion.
Thursday, Sept. 3, 7:00pm
The Art of Dying Well
Author Katy Butler shares insights and leads a discussion on the challenges of living the last third of your life.
Wednesday, Sept 9, 3:30pm
Baking with Laurie Leiber
Join baker Laurie Leiber to make this traditional honey cake. A great activity for the family to do together!
FULL SCHEDULE
Saturday August 29, 10:30am
Guided Meditation with Steve Goldstein
Listening for the “still, small voice” and Extending and Receiving Love and Compassion
During the Hebrew month of Elul, the month before the High Holy Days, we enter into a period of self-reflection. Steve Goldstein will lead us through guided meditations on themes of the High Holy Days.
Join this gathering via Zoom
Meeting ID: 169-589-870
Password: 123079
Tuesday, September 1, 7:00pm
Forgiveness with Rabbi Chester
Join us to discuss and reflect on forgiveness, an essential theme of the High Holy Day season.
This will be a Zoom gathering — link to come as event nears.
Thursday, September 3, 7:00pm
Katy Butler on The Art of Dying Well—How to Prepare for a Good End of Life
The last third of life poses challenges as well as gifts, especially in the era of COVID 19. But acceptance, community, and planning can relieve worry. Join us to hear bestselling healthcare journalist Katy Butler share from her handbook of step by step preparations — practical, communal, medical, and spiritual — to help you drink deeply from the life that remains.
Sharing insights from her book, The Art of Dying Well, Katy will discuss how to recognize and adapt to seven discrete health stages of the last third of life, deepen purpose and connections, express regrets and gratitude, create rituals for loss, and make sure that death, when it comes, is framed as a sacred rite of passage rather than a purely medical event. She will discuss what has changed and what has stayed the same since the pandemic began, and what she has learned about death, community, and mourning from the special strengths of Jewish practices and spirituality. 40 minute talk, followed by 40 minutes of open, lively, no-holds barred discussion. This free presentation is hosted by Temple Sinai Oakland's Wise Aging Committee.
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Saturday, September 5, 10:30am
Guided Meditation with Steve Goldstein
Connecting to Gratitude and the Resolve to Change
During the Hebrew month of Elul, the month before the High Holy Days, we enter into a period of self-reflection. Steve Goldstein will lead us through guided meditations on themes of the High Holy Days.
Join this gathering via Zoom
Meeting ID: 169-589-870
Password: 123079
Wednesday, September 9, 3:30 – 5:30pm
Baking Honey Cake with Laurie Leiber
This event requires pre-registration. Please click here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Download recipe here to follow along while you bake!
Thursday, September 10, 7:00pm
How to Blow the Shofar with Phil Rubin and Dan Fendel
Do you have a shofar gathering dust on your shelf? Want to join in as we Sound the Shofar on September 20? It’s easier to make a sound than you might expect. Grab your shofar and learn from experienced amateurs Phil Rubin and Dan Fendel.
Join this gathering via Zoom
Meeting ID: 843 9344 3540
Saturday, September 12, 7:00pm
S'lichot Discussion and Service
Join this gathering via Zoom
Meeting ID: 880 3289 7243
+1 669 900 9128 US
Sunday, September 20, 3:00pm
Sound the Shofar
Let's connect with as many Bay Area Jewish organizations as we can to sound the Shofar at the same time — 3:00pm on the 2nd day of Rosh HaShanah, September 20, 2020. Wherever you are, blow the Shofar!