27 Elul 5780 - September 16, 2020

 I AM JEWISH: JOE ROSENBERG  

I feel as if my being Jewish can only be described in my personal favorite manner: 

a top-10 list.

Welcome to my top 10 favorite things about being Jewish.

10. I became Bar Mitzvah.
9. Reading the Talmud. Everyone needs a little Mishna in their life.
8. Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI). My home away from home.
7. Keeping kosher. It’s sometimes annoying, but it's worth it.
6. Missing school on Rosh Hashanah. Pretty epic.
5. NFTY. Only acceptable reason for sleep deprivation.
4. Hanukkah. Number 1 holiday of all time.
3. Learning Hebrew. Learning formerly dead languages is my favorite past-time.
2. Israel. Land, people, and culture included.

1. Family. Jewish families are the best families. 

It is tradition to read Psalm 27 every day during Elul.  

PSALM 27

God is my light and my refuge secure - whom shall I fear?

God is the stronghold of my life - of whom should I be afraid?

When those who act with malice would devour me with words,

it is they who stumble, they who fall.

If an army were to take up arms against me, my heart would not fear.

If war were waged against me, still I would trust.

Just one thing I have asked of God; only this do I seek:

to dwell in God’s house all the days of my life,

to behold divine sweetness and beauty, and to gaze in delight at God’s Temple.

God shelters me in times of hardship, shields me in a tent of divine protection,

raises me high on a rock - so that now my head rises above enemies around me. 

Let me make offerings in that tent - the offerings of a joyful cry.

Let me sing hymns, and celebrate the One who is eternal - Adonai.

Hear my voice when I call; God, answer me with grace.

My heart spoke for you - it said, “Seek My face.” Your face, Adonai, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me, nor angrily turn away Your faithful one -

the one You have sustained. My God-of-rescue, do not desert me!

When my father and mother have gone, God will gather me in.

Teach me your way, Adonai; and guide me on a straight path,

because of those who lie in wait for me.

Do not hand me over to the will of foes who rose against me -

lying witnesses and those whose very breath is violence.

If only I could believe that I will see God’s goodness

in the land of the living. . .

Wait for Adonai

Be strong of heart, and be bold -- but wait for Adonai.

It is also tradition to hear the sound of the shofar each day during Elul.  It is a wake up call to prepare for the upcoming holy days. 

UHCSTL · Shofar 1