Beloved Friends,

Tonight is the first Shabbat of Elul which begins our High Holy Day season. This year we will focus on the verse from Psalm 150:  “כל הנשמה תהלל יה Kol HaNeshamah t’hallel Yah, All of my soul/breath will praise God” The Hebrew word for soul is also the Hebrew word for breath connecting our souls and breath to the act praising God. Praising God is not something that only happens during prayer in a sanctuary. We use our breath to praise God in our everyday life. We think about the words we choose. We engage our beings (souls) in actions that are praises of God, too. As we approach the beginning of the New Year, we take this time to reflect upon how we can be more mindful of using soul/breath/being every day in the service of and in praise of God. This informs our relationships, our work, and our passion.

Selichot is the Saturday evening right before Rosh HaShanah. Traditionally it is a time of intense preparation for the work of Cheshbon HaNefesh, taking account of our souls. We reflect on the past year with its challenges and its successes vowing to correct the errors and build on the blessings. This year, Dr. Beth Fishman of the Jewish Healing Network will lead us in how meditation and breathing techniques can enhance our well-being even as it connects us more deeply with the divine. Learn more by clicking here.

In our Elul preparations, we are offering two sessions: the first focused on Rosh HaShanah and the Psalms that connect us to our theme. The second session will focus on Yom Kippur and specifically the prayers of Yizkor. We will welcome a survivor of the October 7th attack on the Nova Music Festival. Amit Ganish will share her personal story and talk about how we link personal grief and mourning with our communal losses. I hope you will join me for what promises to be a very compelling and powerful evening. Please click here for more information and to register.

Below is some important information regarding the High Holy Days at Temple Jeremiah:

  • Your High Holy Day badges and honey packages can be picked up at temple beginning Sunday, September 8th, during our J-Quest Family Day (9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.). After that, they will be available for pickup from the temple office during office hours.
  • If you would like to participate in our Greetings and Remembrances Book, please click here. The deadline for the printed book is September 13th. 
  • To register your guests for the High Holy Days, click here. Guest badges will be available at the Will Call table when you come for services.
  • To view our multi-access worship schedule with details about time and setting, click here.
  • To send us  Yizkor photos, please email them to Rabbi Rachel Heaps.
  • If you have not done so yet, please complete your membership renewal here.

Cathy, Jacob and Elana, Margot and Claire, Eli, Anna, and Hope join me in wishing you and your dear families a Happy and Healthy New Year,

Rabbi Paul F. Cohen, D.Min., D.D.