Friends, as we gather in this chamber today, on the Jewish calendar we are in the concluding weeks of the Hebrew month of Elul—a time in our tradition for self-reflection, accountability, and spiritual preparation, that will culminate in our celebration of the Jewish High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Therefore, Elul calls each of us to look inward and to examine both our actions and the intentions in our hearts. It is a month during which we are reminded that before we seek to change the world, we must first seek to understand ourselves.
However, Elul is also a reminder that we must also seek to understand the people around us in our families and community. Chazal our sages of blessed memory famously teach that the phrase Elul is an acronym for the well-known verse from the Biblical book Song of Songs, Ani LeDodi U-Leodi Li. “I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine.”
In this respect, Elul is a reminder that we are not isolated in our work or our lives. We are linked by a shared responsibility through the trust that our neighbors place in us, and by the promise that even amidst differences, we should always seek to find common ground.
It is in this spirit that I ask us all to pause for a moment and pray together:
God, source of all blessing that unites people of all faiths, may you bless all of us, devoted public servants and concerned citizens alike, with the lessons of Elul.
May each of us find the courage to listen with patience, the humility to speak with respect, and the strength to act with integrity. May we approach the work that we do ever-thoughtfully, seeking solutions that uplift voices and reflect the dignity of every person we serve.
May this season inspire us to remember that our highest calling is not victory or prestige, but the wellbeing of the community we share.
We thank you for the gift of the beloved people sharing this space and community with us.
And so may our deliberations today—and in the new year ahead—always be guided by wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to each other.
Amen.
