We are now entering the second week of Elul, the month that invites us to prepare spiritually for the High Holy Days. This Shabbat is the ninth day of Elul, which means our journey toward the new year is already underway.

Our High Holy Days theme this year is Da lifnei mi atah omed—“Know before whom you stand.” The phrase comes from the Babylonian Talmud, Berachot 28b, where it reminds the shaliach tzibur, the person entrusted with leading the community in prayer, to understand the privilege and purpose of standing before God and community.

We are expanding that invitation as guidance for cheshbon hanefesh, the spiritual accounting that is central to the High Holy Days: Know before whom you stand. Know the people standing beside you. Know what you stand for. And know yourself.

Knowing ourselves requires honesty, but it also requires compassion. We are each more than our best moments and more than our mistakes. Elul asks us to see ourselves fully: the choices of which we are proud, the places where we have fallen short, the burdens we carry, and the possibilities that remain open before us.

A practice for this week—a guide for the work of your cheshbon hanefesh: Take a few quiet minutes to ask yourself, “Who am I as I enter this new year?” Try to answer without judgment or expectation. Simply notice what is true right now—and what you hope might become true in the year ahead.

As we prepare spiritually, here are three practical ways to prepare:

  • Guest Badges: We warmly encourage you to invite family and friends to join us for the High Holy Days. Children of members age 26 and younger are already included with their families. Older children and other guests should register for guest badges here. Guest badges will be waiting at the Welcome Table when they arrive for services.
  • Member Name Badges: Your High Holy Day name badges are ready for pickup! Please stop by Temple Jeremiah during one of the following times:
    • Friday, August 21st, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
    • Monday, August 24th, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    • Wednesday, August 26th, 1:00–5:00 p.m.
    • Sunday, August 30th, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
    • Monday, August 31st, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. or
    • Tuesday, September 1st, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m
  • The Ark Bags and Food Drive: When you pick up your badges, you will also receive bags for our ARK High Holy Day Food Drive. Please fill them with needed food and household items and return them to Temple Jeremiah during the High Holy Days. Additional bags will be available during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. Your donations help people in our wider community enter the new year with greater dignity, security, and hope.

You can find schedules, answers, and updates on our High Holy Days webpage and High Holy Days FAQ.

May this month help us know ourselves more honestly, see one another more fully, and enter the new year ready to grow together.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Rachel Heaps