By Rabbi Deborah K. Bravo

Throughout the month of Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, I will be sharing daily reflections to help each of us prepare for the upcoming High Holy Day Season.  I hope these thoughts inspire each of us to make time, find the energy and initiate some passion as we reflect and examine this past year, in preparation for the year to come.

Shavua Tov!  As we join together for Selichot this evening, we strongly and intentionally turn our thoughts and contemplations to that of forgiveness.  Selichot is a service held the Saturday night prior to Rosh Hashanah (or the week prior if that provides less than four days of reflection until the New Year).  During this service, we begin to hear the melodies of the High Holy Days, share in some of the traditional High Holy Day liturgy, and change our Torah covers to white, for the pureness and holiness of the Holy Days. 

Most importantly, we begin reciting prayers of selichah, or forgiveness.  As we end the final Shabbat of 5774, we reflect on this past year, and begin to concretely determine how we must ask for forgiveness as we enter the New Year.  We offer the words of the traditional confessional:

            Our God and God of our ancestors,
            May our prayers come before You
            And may You not ignore our pleas.
            We are neither so arrogant nor so stubborn
            As to declare that we are righteous and have not sinned:
            For indeed, we have sinned.

Forgiveness cannot take place without an inward realization of the wrong that has been done, an ownership of these actions or words or thoughts, and an attempt to make this right during this next year.  Sometimes we need to ask forgiveness of ourselves, for what we did not accomplish or complete in this past year.  Sometimes we ask forgiveness from our closest loved ones and friends, for small and large things we may have done or said.  Sometimes we ask forgiveness from those we don’t know well, but whom we hurt and need to ask forgiveness in order to move forward into this New Year with a whole heart.  Sometimes there are those whom we have hurt and we are oblivious to this, and therefore need to ask a general forgiveness from those we may have hurt, even if we are unaware.

The heart of the prayers we offer known as selichot is based on two verses from the Torah, known as the Thirteen Attributes of God: Adonai, Adonai, God of compassion, gracious, endlessly patient, loving and true, showing mercy to the thousandth generation, forgiving evil, defiance and wrongdoing, granting pardon (Exodus 34:6-7).   We understand that every time we as a people have missed the mark, we have erred, we should reflect on this passage, and know that God will forgive us.  If our God can forgive us, then we, too, should forgive ourselves and others.

May this be a year of forgiveness.
May we know how to ask, and may we learn how to receive.
And may it be soon.

L'shanah Tovah,
Rabbi Debbie Bravo

Now let the sound of the shofar be heard;
And let our souls be awakened!

By Rabbi Deborah K. Bravo

Throughout the month of Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, I will be sharing daily reflections to help each of us prepare for the upcoming High Holy Day Season.  I hope these thoughts inspire each of us to make time, find the energy and initiate some passion as we reflect and examine this past year, in preparation for the year to come.

I am not certain as to why we struggle so much with prayer.  In Jewish tradition, prayer is meant to be a concrete way for us to communicate with our God.  We all know that our relationship with God began through sacrifice, offering various animal sacrifices at the Temple mount, as a way to thank and praise God.  Certain sacrifices were offered at special times of the year, and there were daily sacrifices offered, as detailed in the Book of Leviticus.

When the Temple was destroyed, the Rabbis created prayer as an alternate way to converse, thank and praise God.  Though we often find it easier or more comfortable to pray to God in the sanctuary of our synagogue, we can actually pray in any place, outside, in God’s creations, or in the sanctuary, before the Holy Ark.  Though our tradition dictates three specific times daily to pray, we can offer prayers to God at any time of the day.  Our rabbis gave us structure around prayer, and provided us with formulas to enhance our prayer, but prayer can be any words, formulated in any way, said in any language. 

My experience teaches me that children are often most open to prayer.  Their immature and underdeveloped minds allow them to think beyond the real and the tangible.  Prayer does not come easily for most of us.  Sometimes, it is helpful to be in a quiet, beautiful setting, one where perhaps God’s mystery and majesty is better understood.  Sometimes, it is helpful to be among others who are praying, so we may be guided by the rhythms of their prayer.  Sometimes the prayerbook is helpful, giving us tools and language.  Sometimes the prayerbook is prohibitive, preventing us from finding the words within our hearts.

All of our tots and religious school students can tell you that my favorite time of the service is the silent prayer.  It allows me to pray in the moment, about that which I find most important on any given day, at any given time.  However, I often begin that silent prayer with a fixed prayer, Baruch Ata Adonai..., or Praised are You, O God....  These structures simply start the sentences, to which I need to fill in the blanks. 

One of my favorite readings about prayer can be found 
just before the Amidah in our Mishkan T’filah Prayerbook. 

            In an envelope marked:
                        Personal
            God addressed me a letter.
            In an envelope marked:
                        Personal
            I have given my answer.

Prayer exists only as a give and take between ourselves and our God.  It is personal; it is sacred; it is relational.  May we allow ourselves to pray, for only then, might our prayers be heard... and perhaps answered.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Debbie Bravo

Now let the sound of the shofar be heard;
And let our souls be awakened!

Relationships: A Rabbi’s Thoughts for Elul 24

By Rabbi Deborah K. Bravo

Throughout the month of Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, I will be sharing daily reflections to help each of us prepare for the upcoming High Holy Day Season.  I hope these thoughts inspire each of us to make time, find the energy and initiate some passion as we reflect and examine this past year, in preparation for the year to come.

In life, we create so many different relationships.  Each one exists at a different level and for a different purpose.  Some of our relationships are intimate, with a partner or spouse.  Some relationships are friendships, searching for connection and depth.  Others are more casual with work colleagues or neighbors or your children’s friend’s parents. 

Each of these relationships exists for a different purpose.  A relationship with a partner or spouse is one that is intimate, with a goal of sharing life and life’s journey together.  Friendships allow us to share life but in a different way, perhaps only experiencing pieces of that journey together.  Relationships with work colleagues and others are for a particular purpose at a particular time in life, often not moving beyond that basic need at that moment in time.

I recently officiated at a funeral for a lovely, warm, caring woman, as described by her family.  They shared with us at the funeral how she would create a relationship with random individuals with whom she came in contact.  She knew enough about the postman or the UPS delivery man or the shop owners in the stores she frequented to ask them about their families, by name, their lives and their days.

Upon hearing this story, it pushed me to contemplate if perhaps we are sometimes so busy in our daily lives that we do not make an effort to deepen our relationships, the ones that exist already, instead of seeking so many new and not meaningful relationships.

Perhaps we should, during this month of Elul, use this as an opportunity to learn a little more about the people with whom we interact on a regular basis.  I recently heard a story from a woman whom I have known for several years that was so emotional and moving, and I had no idea she owned such a fascinating story as a part of her personal journey.  I wonder how many other stories I don’t know that might impact me, as well as my relationship with my relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues and acquaintances. 

As we venture into 5755, perhaps we will stop to inquire of others questions and observations that allow a greater depth to an already existing relationship.  When we see each other, we commonly ask one another “how are you?”  Most of the time, we don’t actually want to know.  We simply ask the question as a common courtesy.  And yet, if we looked occasionally at the person’s face, heard their voice, we would know that something was bothering them, or hurting them.

The next time we inquire as to someone’s well being, even as we see people on the High Holy Days for the first time in awhile, let us truly stand still for a moment, listen to the response, and allow a deeper relationship to exist.

Now let the sound of the shofar be heard;
And let our souls be awakened!


Shalom,
Rabbi Debbie Bravo

By Rabbi Deborah K. Bravo

Throughout the month of Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, I will be sharing daily reflections to help each of us prepare for the upcoming High Holy Day Season.  I hope these thoughts inspire each of us to make time, find the energy and initiate some passion as we reflect and examine this past year, in preparation for the year to come.

This summer, while on faculty at the URJ Crane Lake Camp, one of the middot, or Jewish virtues that we studied with our campers was that of humility, or anavah.  Teaching humility to children was no easy task.  So many questions were asked.  How does one explain humility?  Can one be humble and still have self-esteem?  Is humility a good thing?  Can one be humble and have humility without appearing weak and wimpy?

All good questions as we prepared to teach these children.  And yet, the questions are really no different when we confront the idea of humility as adults as well.  What does it mean to have humility and why is it a Jewish virtue?  How might I balance humility with joy or happiness?  Can I find room in my daily way of life to have humility and not lose my voice or my vision?

I believe we can and should all bring a balance of humility to our lives.  I think the mere fact that we are all created b’tzelem Elohim, in God’s image, should bring us a sense of humility.  If we know that God, however we might picture God, has made mistakes and has fixed things, then should we not think the same is necessary for ourselves?

I like and appreciate the dictionary definition of humility, which states that it is a modest or low view of one’s own importance.  This simply explains to all that we should never overstate our significance, for there will always be someone who is smarter, someone who is more talented, someone who can do the work better.  This does not negate our desire to try to do things to the best of our capability.  Quite the opposite.  It should motivate us to do things to the best of our ability, but realizing we should not boast or be so full of ourselves so as to think we are better than all the rest.

Though I enjoy that definition, I do not like the synonyms often used for humility.  They often include meekness, unassertiveness, lack of pride and submissiveness.  I don’t believe when we consider humility a Jewish virtue that we understand in such a manner. 

Humility is caring enough for other human beings
to respect each individual’s place in the world, regardless of our own. 

Humility is knowing when to help a friend
Without them ever hearing our voice.

Humility is respecting the teacher
Even if we think we can do it better.

May this year allow for some humility in our actions.
May this year allow for some humility in our words.

Now let the sound of the shofar be heard;
And let our souls be awakened!



Shalom,
Rabbi Debbie Bravo

Throughout the month of Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, I will be sharing daily reflections to help each of us prepare for the upcoming High Holy Day Season.  I hope these thoughts inspire each of us to make time, find the energy and initiate some passion as we reflect and examine this past year, in preparation for the year to come.

I know for many of us, we do not love the word renewal.  Perhaps it feels too 1960’s, too loose and open, without enough concrete guidance and direction.  I also think that the idea of renewal as we contemplate a personal renewal takes work.  There is no guidebook or simple one-page summary of how to go about personal renewal.

Yet there is perhaps nothing more valuable and worthy than allowing ourselves to experience renewal as we look at our lives, our relationships, our families, our work, our Judaism, and so much more.  To regenerate ourselves, is, by definition, spiritual renewal, and it encompasses all aspects of our lives. 

There is a Jewish Renewal Movement, and when investigating their mission, I learned that Jewish Renewal, as a movement, is grounded in Judaism’s prophetic traditions, similar to Reform Judaism, and our mystical traditions, the more Kabbalistic aspects of our tradition.  Jewish Renewal carries, as defined on the Movement’s website, “carried forward Judaism’s perpetual process of renewal.  Jewish Renewal seeks to bring creativity, relevance, joy and an all-embracing awareness to spiritual practice, as a path to healing our hearts and finding balance and wholeness....”

I would like to think that many of us strive for this kind of renewal if and when we put our hearts and minds to the task of renewal.  What a wonderful opportunity during the month of Elul, as Rosh Hashanah awaits us but one week away, to allow for reinvigoration and revival, in our lives, our relationships, with Judaism and with God. 

Perhaps as we go through the regular steps of our daily lives, we can pause during the rest of Elul and during the Days of Repentance between the High Holy Days to reflect on the decisions we have made to give direction to our lives.  So often we live life according to what is comfortable, or even necessary.  If we could allow ourselves the freedom to design life with a bit more intention, where might we land? 

Recognizing that we have bills to pay, children and parents to care for, work and home obligations, might we find some aspect in our lives that is open and ready for reviving, and focus on it for this upcoming year.  For some, it might be a renewal of our spirits.  For others, a renewal and attention to our bodies.  For still others, renewal of relationships with friends and family.  Let us start with just one aspect of renewing our lives, and let us do some serious reflection and inner searching to understand how we might accomplish renewal in this New Year.

Now let the sound of the shofar be heard;
And let our souls be awakened!



Shalom,
Rabbi Debbie Bravo

Throughout the month of Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, I will be sharing daily reflections to help each of us prepare for the upcoming High Holy Day Season.  I hope these thoughts inspire each of us to make time, find the energy and initiate some passion as we reflect and examine this past year, in preparation for the year to come.

So often in life, we move through the days, simply trying to get from one to the next.  We have schedules, appointments, meetings and classes: requirements that provide a basic rubric by which we go through the motion of life.  And yet, we often travel through our days without intention, purpose or meaning.  We have become so good at getting through the days, that we have forgotten what it really means to live life.

Therefore we are given an opportunity each and every Rosh Hashanah to take stock of our lives, to evaluate our purpose, to recommit to the ideals with which we are meant to live life.  In some ways, speaking of new beginnings is rather simple and straightforward.  The New Year allows us to create anew and view things from a different perspective.  And yet, it is so very difficult to imagine life different from the way we live it every day.  If we are truly to embrace a new beginning, we must be willing to examine the content of our days, and to then ask ourselves the difficult question: do the actions of our days fulfill our ultimate purpose in life?

I ponder this question with regularity.  Most often, I contemplate my place in the world when my children question me about the why’s and why not’s of life.  I have come to realize that my eight and ten year-olds, in many ways, have far more wisdom than I.  Their inquiries about fairness, peace, God and creation force me to think, see and perceive differently than I may have been doing in the past. 

There is a Chasidic tale that the great Baal Shem Tov used to teach: believe that each day the world is created anew, and that you yourself are born anew each morning.  Then your faith will grow, and every day you will find yourself newly eager to serve God.

This year, as I imagine a new beginning,
I want to strive for holy,
while allowing for the mundane. 

This year, as I imagine a new beginning,
I want to ask more questions,
while searching for answers.

This year, as I imagine a new beginning,
I want to let the voices of my children
be as strong as the voice in my own head.

This year, as I imagine a new beginning,
I want to make room for God,
even on the most difficult of days,
especially on the most difficult of days.

To new beginnings,
To the strength to find them,
To the heart to feel them,
To the wisdom to hear them.

And now let us hear the blast of the Shofar,
And let our souls be awakened.

Shalom,
Rabbi Debbie Bravo

In Judaism, our calendar is a tapestry that leads us through the celebration of the year, and the celebration of life.  Tonight begins our celebration of the first of two days of Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the new month of Elul.  We celebrate the end of the month of Av, the month tinged with sadness, and then welcome the beginning of the month of Elul.

This new month of Elul is special and different.  Throughout the month of Elul, we are directed to begin the process of reflection and personal discovery.  Though many of us will gather together in synagogue for the celebration of Rosh Hashanah and the observance of Yom Kippur next month, we understand that we cannot simply appear on those days, unprepared and unaware.  In order to fully experience our holiest of Holy Days, we must prepare ourselves, though study, prayer and self-reflection. 

The themes of the Holy Days are complex and yet straightforward.  However, each and every year we understand them differently, for we are different as individuals, and our world is certainly a changing place.  As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we are in a time of comfort and consolation.  This year in particular, after a challenging summer in our world, we need comfort and solace. 

Our rabbis teach us that the month of Elul represents a process of courtship between ourselves and our God.  The Hebrew word Elul, Aleph, Lamed, Vav, Lamed, is also understood as an abbreviation for Ani l’dodi v’Dodi li, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine”, the famous quote from Song of Songs, often cited during Jewish wedding ceremonies. 

During the month of Elul, the people of Israel and God rediscover one another, and in finding each other, prepare to meet one another during the Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  In order for us to best utilize the month of Elul as a time of introspection and reflection, we are instructed to awaken our souls each and every day, to ideas, themes and concepts that will prepare us for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  Each day, we hear the sound of the shofar, to wake up our spirits and call ourselves to teshuva, to repentance.  We read psalms daily and might add other readings and reflections in this process of preparation.

This year, as we observe the month of Elul, I will share a daily thought, an idea that perhaps can help each of us to better open our hearts in preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  Personally, if I don’t take the time to pause, reflect, read and consider a new way of looking at each day, at every interaction, then how will I be prepared for the themes of the Holy Days, of repentance, prayer and charity?  How can I truly find a higher self?  Join me in this journey: let our hearts soar, let our souls be awakened! 

Shalom,
Rabbi Debbie Bravo

Introduction to Building Bridges, Making Connections, Finding Sunshine:

For many years, I have been contemplating how best to share my voice, to express my opinions, primarily as a rabbi, but certainly as a mother, wife, feminist and Jew as well.  Since I was ordained a rabbi from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH in 1998, I have primarily used sermons and newsletters as a vehicle to share my thoughts.  However, in today’s society, it is all to clear to me just how limited those audiences might be, and how important it is for me to share thoughts on a variety of topics.  I hope after reading my blog posts, you will sometimes say to yourselves: Bravo, Rabbi Bravo!  And even when you are not impressed, or even in agreement, I hope you will comment and share your own perspectives, and wait for my response.

I intend to share with you topics closest to my heart:  Israel, Feminism, Jewish leadership, Community building in the 21st century, parenting, education and much more.  I’m certain that as I open the gates to write, there will be much to say.

This blog is symbolic of much of the work of my rabbinate, as I have embraced building bridges within each of my communities and beyond; making connections with individuals, families and communities, and finding sunshine even during the most challenging of times.  My voice has evolved as I have evolved as a person, a woman, a rabbi, a wife, a mother and a Jew. 

If you like my thoughts, or share my challenges and questions, I encourage you to re-post, fb, tweet or simply share with your friends and family as well.

We Jews are a people of the book, but today’s books are simply words we find and share with others, words I hope worthy of a rabbi who cares of Jews, children, Torah and learning.  May we travel this journey of opinion, action and response together! May we build more bridges, make new connections, and always find the sunshine that exists behind every cloud!

Shalom,
Rabbi Debbie Bravo