Chaverim y'karim - dear friends,

There is so much to say this month: Israel, U.S., our our own homes - among our families, with our neighbors ...

Quite frankly, as someone who dives into the news a lot, it's quite a world we are in!!

And yet ...

With the High Holy Days only a matters of days away, the questions abound: What will we serve at the Break Fast? How many chairs should we set up? What paper should we use the programs?

It is remarkably easy to get distracted by the details, the headlines, the issues over which we have little control or which we have too much control (food choices for oneg).

All of those things can serve as outstanding distraction for what we are "supposed" to be doing during these days. These are the days when we are to turn inwardly - and outwardly.

This 40-day period from the First of Elul to the setting sun on Yom Kippur are the essential days of the Jewish calendar when soul repair is vital for the safety, security, future of the Jewish people.

Yes, I did say "the Jewish people." And yes, I did say "safety, security, future."

Why or how are these days so big and so impactful? Because the work we do to fix what we have wronged and amend our ways toward betterment can impact the here-and-now and in the days, months, years ahead - some might even say: in the world-to-come.

It all starts with acknowledgement and acceptance. We have to "own" what we have done wrong between ourselves and our fellow man, woman, and child. Next, we must repair what we can. Lastly, we need to change our ways. Those three steps are the A.R.C. of Repentance (Teshuvah) - Accept/Acknowledge; Repair; Change.

Teshuvah is a regular experience - not unique to this time of year - but it will be on Yom Kippur that we go to God for a final 'hekhsher' (stamp of approval) that we have done the job of repentance. Yom Kippur is that moment when we complete our teshuvah by way of reminder that God is in the relationships we have with our fellow. When we eat a cheese-burger, that is between us and God and Yom Kippur sets the stage for atonement. When we harm our fellow, that is between us and another person but God is a part of the relationship and therefore needs our repentance (teshuvah) as well as well.

So ... it's good to be distracted with the busyness of High Holy Day preparation (food and guest lists, clothing options, and making sure to tell the school teachers our children will miss a day of school) but it's not good to be TOO distracted lest we forget the meaning behind these High Holy Days. We read in the Talmud, "Repent the day before your death." (Shabbat 153a)

And so our work is mighty - may we proceed with caution, strength, honesty, and humility.

If you are looking for prayers and music to "set the mood" you may enjoy my Spotify playlist - HHDs 2024/5785 for these High Holy Days. In order to fulfill the obligation of hearing the shofar each day in Elul, go listen to a few blasts and a teaching to stir the soul from Cantor David Goldstein of North Shore Congregation Israel in Chicago.

I am keeping a list of books below for your consideration. Any one of these are good - maybe just think about one ... and make that "your" book for this year as you deepen your connection to Judaism, Jewish living, and this season of repentance.

Bivracha, with blessing,

Rabbi Mark Cohn



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A few books to consider in preparing for the holidays:

Return: Daily Inspirations for the Days of Awe (Erica Brown)

Book of Mercy (Leonard Cohen) 

Man’s Search for Meaning (Victor Frankl) 

60 Days: A Spiritual Guide to the High Holy Days (Simon Jacobson)

Bridge to Forgiveness (Karyn Kedar) 

This is Real and You are Completely Unprepared (Alan Lew)