Get Prepared: A Month of Awakening the Soul

It is traditional during Elul, the month which precedes the High Holy Days, to diligently prepare one’s heart and soul through acts of repentance, prayer, study, and right and just living. Join your Temple Beth Sholom Rabbis and Cantor for a careful study of the Prayers of the High Holy Days. In addition, join us for a special Shabbat evening with Kara Wilson from Project Shema.

Sessions are being held in-person at TBS and via Zoom 

Tekiah: The Sound of the Shofar with Rabbi Davis
Wednesday, September 4, 12:00 pm | Bring your own lunch.

Board room and via Zoom.

Rabbi Davis will lead us through a study of the Shofar and its calls for introspection and spiritual growth. The session will focus primarily on the themes of awakening, repentance, renewal, and divine sovereignty.

Unetaneh Tokef with Rabbi Pomerantz
Monday, September 9, 5:00 pm

Board Room and via Zoom.

Rabbi Pomerantz will help us to make sense of the challenging words of the Unetaneh Tokef prayer which asks: “Who shall live and who shall die?”  How do we understand God in this prayer?  How does this prayer help us move the needle on how we live our lives?  Questions are welcome.

Understanding and Disrupting Antisemitism with Kara Wilson from Project Shema
Friday, September 13, 2024, 6:00 pm

Shabbat Service, Dinner, and Dessert Discussion

Followed by Shabbat Dinner, RSVP

Kara Wilson from Project Shema will join us at Shabbat Services and deliver our sermon that evening, as well as lead a post-dinner Salon on the timely topic of Understanding and Disrupting Antisemitism in the Current Political Climate. Kara will help us grapple with some of the challenging questions of this moment: How do we converse with people with whom we disagree? How do we articulate our own story of self? How do we repair broken relationships with allies?

Project Shema is a training and support organization focused on addressing contemporary antisemitism with an emphasis on how anti-Jewish ideas and implicit biases can be carried alongside the conversation about Israel.

Read more on Kara Wilson.
Brought to you in partnership by the TBS Israel Committee and Social Justice Network.

Vidui: Al Cheyt with Rabbi Glickstein
Monday, September 16, 7:00 pm

Board room and via Zoom.

Rabbi Glickstein will help us contemplate what sin and atonement mean in our lives. Why do we list such specific sins?  Why should I ask forgiveness for sins that I have never committed?  How can I relate spiritually to communal mutual responsibility? Together, we will discuss how or if we believe in sin and atonement.

Kol Nidrei with Rabbi Loiben
Wednesday, September 18, 12:00 pm | Bring your own lunch

Board room and via Zoom.

Explore the profound mysteries of the Kol Nidre prayer with Rabbi Loiben. Delve into the rich history and discover how this powerful prayer sets the tone for Yom Kippur. We will study the themes and rituals that surround its recitation. Join us for an enlightening opportunity to deepen your understanding and spiritual connection with this holy day.

The Great Aleinu
Monday, September 23, 7:00 pm

Board room and via Zoom.

Explore with Cantor Porat the endless ways of accessing this ancient liturgical poem (originally exclusively utilized on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur), its origin, interpretations, and varied musical settings.

Avinu Malkeinu with Rabbi Jacobs
Monday, September 30, 5:00 pm

Board room and via Zoom.

Rabbi Jacobs will lead us through a study of the petitions of Avinu Malkeinu, beginning with the Talmudic source material of the prayer. The session will focus primarily on understanding petition as a form of prayer, and the role that God’s names of Parent and Ruler play in our relationship to the Divine.