We are now in the month of Elul. What’s special about this last month of the Jewish spiritual year? According to Judaism Unbound ” It is a time of introspection. Time to stop and take a look back at the past year to see how we did.  Where did we grow and how do we want to continue to build on that growth? Elul is a time of asking for forgiveness from others in ways we caused harm and offering forgiveness to people who have harmed us.”

Elul is the prelude to the main attraction and helps us get settled and in the mood as does the opening act or musical prelude to a show.

There are a few traditional practices that some Jews take on during Elul. These include listening to the sound of the shofar daily, reading Psalm 27, and reflecting on our behavior over the previous year.

As  we make our way through the Jewish month of Elul, the month of contemplation, you may want to be guided by spiritual experts or supplement your own thoughts with some writings on the theme.

Check the display shelf in the library for these books. Books marked with a * should be available in your public library or are on order at the Lampert Library

Healing of soul, healing of body: spiritual leaders unfold the strength & solace in Psalms

Agnon, Days of Awe: being a treasury of traditions, legends and learned commentaries concerning Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the days between

Brown, Return: daily inspiration for the Days of Awe

Greenberg, The Jewish way: living the holidays

Hammer, Entering the High: a guide to the history, prayers and themes

Holy Days: a guide to the history, prayers and themes

Hurwitz, Here all along: finding meaning, spirituality and a deeper connection to life-in Judaism.

Lew, This is real and you are completely unprepared: the Days of Awe as a journey of transformation

Myers, The choosing: a rabbi’s journey from silent nights to high holy days.

Robbins,  Opening your heart with Psalm 27: a spiritual practice for the Jewish new year

*Haig, The midnight library. A novel that explores life choices, regrets,  and the consequences.

*Rossetti, Sacred housekeeping (not yet published)

*Ruttenberg, On repentance

*Sacks,  To heal a fractured world

For virtual resources go to Judaism Unbound and its past resources,

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Aileen Grossberg

Aileen Grossberg, a professional librarian, is a long-time congregant and serves as volunteer librarian for Shomrei's Lampert Library. The library, one of the best-kept secrets at Shomrei is used by the Rabbi, congregants, students and teachers of the JLC (Hebrew School) and Preschool. It's a tremendous resource completely supported by your donations and gifts. Aileen also heads the Shomrei Caterers, the in-house food preparation group. Can there be any better combination…good food and good books!

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