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Friends,
I am standing outside on a terrace overlooking a lake on a perfectly cool and clear dark night at my favorite retreat center, Kripalu. in the Berkshires. On this moonless night the canopy of stars are shimmering above me and all around me. There are so many of them and they twinkle! Tonight is the new moon, the first day of the month of Elul. That means we are one month away from the new moon of Tishri, the new Jewish year 5775.
So it just happened that today is exactly one month from Rosh Hashana and four months from the annual xmas Kabbalah Retreat at Kripalu.
Elul is known as the month of love. We are sometimes so focused on the concept of repentance and forgiveness preparing for the high holy days that we forget that the last month of each year is dedicated to love and loving. Many books are written about love. We can think of the last month of the year as the last chapter in a novel and it is about to come to its end. Depending on the kind of book and how we feel about it, we may be full of anticipation to read how it will end, or if it is not so engaging, we look forward to be done with it. But unlike a book we can decide how this last month and how the new year will unfold. We are called to choose life. So let us choose well and live well.
How do you want to spend this month? How do you want to close the year? What have you learned in the past year that was important to you? What would you like to commit to in the new year to more fully live the life you desire? What do you want to remember more often and bring more into your life to make it fun and fulfilling?
Elul, the last month that leads to a new beginning provides us with the opportunity for reflection. Today we enter the gates of Tesuvah; the practice of reflecting, turning and returning.
In the month of Elul I make time to review the past year and discern what needs to be released, stay the same or birthed anew and changed. I also attempt to bring closure and prepare the ground for the new year. I make a list of what I need to complete in the last month in 5774 and I take time to clear clutter and make room for the new. I organize and clean my home and sort through papers, files, cabinets and closets. I also attend to my relationships and review projects, work, plans and aspirations.
Where and how to begin? Making it easy and manageable is key. Make small time commitment every day to be reflective and ask the questions above. Organize your physical spaces by letting go of items that you don’t use, don’t like, or those that don’t fit your life any more.
I wish all of us a meaningful counting down to the new year. I hope to see you during the holidays at Kesher Shalom (RSVP below) and at the Kripalu retreats in December.
Warm regards and blessings,
Rabbi Sigal
Israel and other troubled places in the world are still in our prayers. May the hurting and injured be healed and supported back to health and happiness. May we come back to reconciliation, stop the fighting and resume treating each other kindly and thoughtfully. May the new year be a year of peace and calm to all in all places.
Join Rabbi Sigal for a special retreat in MA
Kripalu Retreats are 4 months away! Reserve your space today. 24-26 and 26-28 of December 2014
CD’s by Sigal
Zigizen Necklaces Special offer: 20% off and free shipping Code: 2014manifest
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Please let us know you are coming to Rosh Hashana Services and invite your friends
RSVP
We will share a potluck lunch after the service. Please bring a dairy or vegetarian dish, no meats please.
Suggestions: salads, beans, grains, bagels and spreads, kugel.
Rosh Hashana, 10 am September 25th
Kol Nidre, 7 pm October 3rd
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All are welcome at Kesher Shalom
We don't charge for tickets. We rely on donations to pay our expenses. The suggested High Holy Days contribution is $200 per person. Please consider becoming a member and contribute generously to keep Kesher Shalom's important presence in our community and in your life.
Please send contributions to:
Kesher Shalom
1309 School Lane
Rydal, PA 19046
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Kesher Shalom is a place where all voices are heard and honored. Be a part of the Kesher Shalom family. Join us today.
Your contributions are fully tax-deductible
Kesher Shalom
1309 School Lane
Rydal, PA 19046
215-207-9349
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