Days of Awe
Reflections on Elul, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur
Renewing Ourselves and Our Visions in the Month of Elul
Traditions for the month of Elul and suggestions on how to use this period for personal and communal transformation
On the Return Path: A Kavanah and Blessing before Taking on a New Mitzvah
Originally written for the period of Teshuvah — return — preceding the High Holy Days
Soul Candles
A traditional pre-High Holiday ritual of making candles for one’s beloveds
Essence of Elul
A summary of facts, characters, and holidays pertaining to the month of Elul
The Book of Lamentations: An Optimistic Drama
A ritual that presents the Book of Lamentations as a play with a cast of characters using the original text of Lamentations as the script
Havdalah Ritual for a Failed Adoption
While happily the majority of adoptions work out as planned, some do not. This havdalah ceremony marks such a loss.
Naming Ceremony for an Adopted Child
A naming ceremony written especially for an adopted child
Prayer for an Adopted Child
A prayer for the gift of an adopted child in which the baby is welcomed, the parents pledge to create a good and Jewish life for the child, and ask God’s blessings for the baby’s health and well-being
Application Day
A poem for adopting a child
