September 4 – October 1, 2016
May we renew our words of prayer tonight –
restore their luster,
bring them to life.
Let song and silence and shofar-sounds
awaken our souls.
– Mishkan HaNefesh
The Echoes of Elul reflections shared over the past twenty-nine days have inspired, challenged and touched us as we move into these High Holy Days. To all of our contributors, thank you for your creativity, your generosity and for sharing part of yourself with our Temple Beth Sholom family. To all of our readers, thank you for engaging in the conversation virtually, via email and blog comments, as well as with one another at TBS events and Shabbat services. To Matt Cohen, thank you for providing the technological expertise necessary to set the echoes in motion.
It was incredible to share the experience of Elul together as a congregation. Wishing you and your families a very healthy, introspective and sweet new year!
L’Shanah Tovah,
Michele Shugarman, Vice President of Worship
Soni Sanberg and Juliet Friedman, Echoes of Elul Co-Chairs
You may also view previous years’ postings.
29 Elul 5776 by Jill Weinthal I clasp my tzitzi My eyes close, take a deep breath Here, hear, Shema ...
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28 Elul 5776 by Aleta Bryant Several times a week, I drive down North Wanda Road in Orange near where it intersects with Katella Avenue. Just northwest of that intersection, ...
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27 Elul 5776 by By Scott J. Friedman – Motivational Speaker When I began thinking about this article, the first image that popped into my mind was a one-frame cartoon in ...
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26 Elul 5776 by Donna Wolffe Almost out of time for inspiration and a meaningful reflection for Elul. Happily, it comes to me on Thursday, September 1. I am part ...
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25 Elul 5776 by Patti Widdicombe As I prepare for the New Year, I continue to think about the people in my life who have made it possible for me ...
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24 Elul 5776 By Matt Cohen Usually when someone says they have ‘built’ something the mind conjures images of something materially sturdy. One’s parents or grandparents might have said, “I built ...
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23 Elul 5776 by Marc Petrie I was struck by a September memory this morning. In the cool light I remembered previous trips to Oak Glen for apples. I love ...
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22 Elul 5776 by Rosalee Lubell In July, my friend and I set out to visit Berlin. It was important for me to see this city 70 years after the ...
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21 Elul 5776 by Paula and Joel Handler Stepping into our new temple building for the first time was very much like entering an alien world. “Sameness” gives us comfort. Through the ...
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20 Elul 5776 by Anonymous We are assembled today in the House of God, God's House, to honor Him. I see you and you. I see you too. I see ...
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19 Elul 5776 by Donna Fliegler When my daughter died in May, Rabbi Cohen suggested that I join a Vitas Bereavement Group that would meet at the Temple. We gathered ...
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18 Elul 5776 by Jack Holmes My journey to becoming a “Jew by Choice” was a difficult one. Along the way I met with betrayal, half truths and outright lies ...
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17 Elul 5776 by Monica Engel How's your day going? I'm sure you've been asked that rhetorical question by your local bank teller or store clerk. Now I'm asking... how is your ...
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16 Elul 5776 by Joelle Escoe It's Friday night and the end of a very busy week full of dance lessons, homework, commuting to and from work. We could a) ...
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15 Elul 5776 by Rhea Dorn This world contains the glorious and the horrible that pulls us here and there, close and far. It batters our senses. When you are ...
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14 Elul 5776 by Paula Pitluk I have read Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Journey” many times over the years and have it hanging over my desk. It speaks to me ...
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13 Elul 5776 by Eliana Tehila Holmes (aka Angela) Before I began living a full Jewish life four years ago, I had always strongly connected spiritually to inner prayer and community ...
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12 Elul 5776 by Sydell Walencewicz Since we are in a presidential election year I would like to present my recommended slate. "Voting for God" by Anonymous "What church do ...
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11 Elul 5776 by Rise' Kirbo My Dad let go of life as the sun went down I sat at his bedside as he took his last breath on the ...
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10 Elul 5776 by Lori and Matt Griffin Dropping a child off at college for the first time can be very overwhelming, for both child and parent. In our case, ...
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9 Elul 5776 by Martin Nakell the following is a dialogue between an israeli man (“lo” – “him”) and an israeli woman (“la” – “her”). their dialogue is interspersed with ...
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8 Elul 5776 by Susan Sherman This summer I had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks in China with 180 fellow martial artists. We spent time traveling to Shanghai, the Wudang ...
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7 Elul 5776 by Anonymous My teacher gave me what I do not need, told me what I need not know. At a high price he sold me water beside ...
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6 Elul 5776 by Ingrid Rothman In June, my house consisted of 3 cats-Mimi 15 years, Timmy 7 years and Don Juan somewheres around 10 years(inherited from my Mom). Sweet ...
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8 Elul 5776 by Lisa Ackerman On a daily basis, I feel anger, frustration, defeat, irritation, disappointment, disgust, fear. I also feel gratitude, awe, love, hope, empathy, bravery, friendship, peace ...
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4 Elul 5776 by Cantor David Reinwald Find yourself in a few short moments of solitude as Cantor Reinwald leads you in a meditation on Hineini (“Here I am”) - ...
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3 Elul 5776 by Dr. Stacy Nagel If you ever watched the television series “Hee Haw”, you may have seen the Hee Haw Honeys sing the following: “Now we’re not ...
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2 Elul 5776 by Scott Friedman As you think about your future, close your eyes and imagine you are standing in front of a bridge. Your bridge may or may ...
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1 Elul 5776 by Rabbi Heidi Cohen A good friend of mine has been challenging me to run the Disneyland Half Marathon with her. Her argument, "Heidi, you love Disneyland ...
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