Rabbi Shankman Reflects on Her Sabbatical

I am writing these words in the midst of my sabbatical from WHC. I am incredibly grateful to our leadership for ensuring that our clergy are taking care of ourselves so that we can better care for our congregational community.

In planning for these months away, I was encouraged to use the time for restoration and rejuvenation. It has been that and so much more. As I considered what I would do with this time, I approached it as a moment to dedicate to mind, body, and soul.

Over the coming months there will be ample opportunities for me to reflect on this journey with you. As this Journal issue is focused on our personal and communal preparation for the High Holy Days, I’d like to share some relevant reflections.

A key element for embracing my mind, body, and soul was to spend time in nature, which included significant time in several National Parks.

The natural beauty of Yosemite National Park – its soaring rock cathedrals, its expansive meadows, its water sources — rushing, roaring rivers and thundering falls, are all reminders of our place in the universe. Standing at the base of the General Sherman Tree – the sequoia that is touted as the largest tree on earth (in volume — I have certainly seen redwoods that are much, much taller) or atop Moro Rock, gazing upon the Great Divide, or watching the sun set over Half Dome — it would be impossible to not be aware of our place in this vast universe.

Nature’s cathedrals are awe-inspiring. And so too are our Kaufmann Sanctuary and Albert and Shirley Small Chapel, not to mention the outdoor cathedral of the lawn at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center. Each of us has our own unique way of preparing for the High Holy Days. Washington Hebrew Congregation has myriad ways for you to prepare your mind, your body, and your soul for those moments when we sit together in community. Those moments when we connect our individuality and simultaneously our oneness with the world.

Here are a few thoughts for how to get started with our personal preparations:

MIND

It is traditional throughout this month of Elul that directly precedes Rosh HaShanah to read Psalm 27 daily. A wonderful companion resource is Rabbi Debra Robbins’, Opening Your Heart with Psalm 27: A Spiritual Practice for the Jewish New Year. Another favorite among our WHC clergy team is This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared by Alan Lew. Both of these can serve double duty for both Mind and Soul.

BODY

Get outside for an early fall walk and bring the beautiful music captured by our extraordinary cantors’ voices with you (see below in Soul section for more details). In addition, our Women of WHC will be offering a special program with cookbook author Micah Siva. Ms. Siva will teach us new twists on some favorite dishes for the High Holy Days season as we anticipate sitting around tables with family, friends, and the community.

SOUL

Throughout this month of Elul we will be offering a selection of the music you will hear on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, accompanied by readings that will prepare us during this time of reflection and anticipation. You can find these on our website.

Plan on joining us for an exciting re-envisioning of our S’lichot experience at the end of this month, just prior to Rosh HaShanah. S’lichot is our communal preparation for the holiest days of the year. We will reflect and begin to turn toward themes of the season as we prepare our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls for t’shuvah.

The advent of the High Holy Days is the perfect time to explore new ways to engage with your Judaism and with Washington Hebrew Congregation beyond the sacred start to the year. Consider how you will nourish your mind, body, and soul through learning, growing, and nurturing your full self. The possibilities are endless, and we are excited to see where the path leads.

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