Elul Unbound 2023
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What the
heck is Elul?
You've probably heard about the fall holidays of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). But far fewer people know about Elul, the month that precedes them.
We think about Elul as an “on-ramp” to the High Holidays. Because it’s the final month of the Hebrew calendar before the Jewish New Year, Elul is typically treated as a time of heightened personal and spiritual introspection. Traditional observances that some Jews practice during the month of Elul include listening to the sound of the shofar daily and reciting Psalm 27 during prayer.
What the heck is
Elul Unbound?
Judaism Unbound proudly presents Elul Unbound, a month of special programming designed to offer additional opportunities and ‘food-for-thought’ to our listeners during this month of reflection. Our multi-modal menu of Elul experiences includes weekly bonus mini-podcasts, emails featuring curated Elul content, and live Zoom gatherings, all of which are accessible via this page.
Elul Unbound 2023: “The Power of Two”
This year’s Elul Unbound theme, “The Power of Two,” is inspired by the beginning of Year 2 of the current Shmita* cycle. This topic encompasses themes of time, repetition, learning, and ritual practice, and even compels us to ask new questions about our relationships. Join us as we explore the significance of all things related to the number two, in Jewish practice and beyond.
*Shmita is a once-every-seven-years Biblical observance which revolves around connection to land and to a radical recalibration of society. Learn more about Shmita here.
Elul Zoom Gatherings:
We are excited to be hosting four synchronous Zoom gatherings throughout the month of Elul. We have intentionally varied the meeting times in the hope of accommodating different schedules. Our Elul Zoom Gatherings will take place:
Elul Zoom Gathering #1: Friday, August 25th from 7:30-8:30pm EST/ 5:30-6:30pm PST.
Elul Zoom Gathering #2: Friday, September 1st from 2:00-3:00pm EST/ 11:00am-12:00pm PST.
Elul Zoom Gathering #3: Friday, September 8th from 7:30-8:30pm EST/ 5:30-6:30pm PST.
Elul Zoom Gathering #4: Thursday, September 14th from 5:00-6:00pm EST/ 2:00-3:00pm PST
Click the button below to register for our Elul meetings:
UnYeshiva Elul Mini-Course
Don’t miss this special UnYeshiva course offering, “Elul: Your On-Ramp for Rosh Hashanah,” with Wendie Bernstein Lash.
This limited-edition course includes 3 sessions designed to help participants develop Elul practices which are meaningful and particular to their own experience.
Wednesdays - August 30, September 6, September 13, 2023
7:30 pm - 9 pm Eastern Time / 4:30 pm - 6 pm Pacific Time
Interested? Learn more or sign up here.
Elul Mini-Podcasts
Each week of Elul, we will be releasing a bonus podcast episode as part of our Elul Unbound series, airing in the Judaism Unbound podcast feed! Join co-hosts Lex Rofeberg and Wendie Bernstein-Lash in these mini-episodes for conversations about spirituality, Shmita Year 2, and more.
You can find our special Elul episodes on Spotify or wherever you stream Judaism Unbound regularly, and they will also be posted here as the episodes are released.
Check out our Elul mini-episodes from previous years below:
Join the Elul Unbound 2023 Email List!
As part of our Elul programming, we will be sending our bi-weekly emails to listeners with specialized Elul content curated by the Judaism Unbound staff. Click the button to sign up for Elul Unbound emails:
All of the resources shared in the Elul Unbound bi-weekly emails will also be featured here, once the month of Elul begins (August 28th).
Contact Us
Remember, we love hearing from our listeners! So please, in addition to utilizing our resources at the links above, we would be thrilled if you shared your Elul plans and resources with us. You can do so by sending emails to Elul@JudaismUnbound.com. Chodesh Elul Tov -- have an amazing month!