Shabbat Eichev 2024

“On Rosh Chodesh Elul, we will see the darkest version of the sky, and we will see there is something new about to start. It’s a beginning of a new chance to build. It’s a beginning of a new chance to soak into loving who you are, and really loving the image of who you’re going to be in the coming year,” Rabbi Marisa Elana James said in her drashah this past Shabbat, in which she addressed ways that we can approach the month of Elul, which begins on September 4th.

“This month [of Elul] is a gift. It’s a time to look back and say, Where have I put my energies this past year? Am I happy with who I’ve been?… What are the ways I don’t want to fall short this year? And I have fallen short in a lot of ways this year. I think we all have. I think the whole world has. I suspect many of us are feeling pretty bruised in a plethora of ways by this year… So I want to remind everyone how deeply important it is to first ask, Who do I want to be in this world? And what are the things that bring me so much joy that I feel fully like myself?”

Rabbi Marisa James delivered this drashah at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, August 23, 2024 / 20 Av 5784.

Be in community with CBST at Kabbalat Shabbat services, Fridays at 6:30pm EST, either in person or streaming live.

CBST is an LGBTQ+ synagogue for people of all sexual identities and genders and a joyful, spiritual, proud community. All are welcome.