Accounting of the Soul

It may not feel like Fall in Southwest Ohio quite yet, but according to our Hebrew calendar, Elul is here! Today is Rosh Chodesh Elul! The first day of the last month on the Hebrew calendar. Elul is absolutely my favorite month of the Jewish year. This is the month that, traditionally speaking, we prepare for the High Holidays. Since moving to Cincinnati from Los Angeles 2 years ago, it is a month marked by intense preparations at Hillel plus, of course, the beginning of my favorite season . . . Fall! Yes, I’m basic and I’m OK with that. Gimme the crisp Fall air and falling leaves and apple picking and mix it up with some pumpkin spice, cinnamon sticks, and Rosh Hashanah and, well, I’m in heaven. 

Elul is special for so many reasons. Traditionally, Elul is meant to be used as a time for introspection and reflection. The point of Elul is to set the tone for the High Holiday period, so it’s all about taking personal stock of the past year and thinking about the year ahead.

Leading up to Rosh Hashanah, Jews engage in cheshbon hanefesh (“an accounting of the soul”). The entire month is a ‘preparatory period’ to make repentance more meaningful, genuine, and intentional. I was 28 and a student at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem when I first learned about the magic of Elul. That was the first year that I participated in the traditional act of asking 3 people for forgiveness for past actions that I had long needed owning up to and I’ve done it every year since. Of course it can be extremely difficult to completely own up to a mistake or failure but it is some of the best medicine you can give to someone else and your own soul. 

In the vein of seeking forgiveness, I want to share that it was brought to my attention by one of our students that this year’s Fall study abroad fair is being held on Rosh Hashanah. When I heard about this, I reached out to the Education Abroad office and the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at Miami. I was met with nothing but support and understanding, especially from Ryan Dye, the Director of Education Abroad. He was, and remains, deeply apologetic and has offered to be a direct resource to any Jewish student who is unable to attend this year’s Fall fair as a result of the misfire of scheduling. In addition, the office will be able to provide all the resources from the vendors in attendance at the Fall fair and has committed to participating in our Jewish& workshop to learn more about what it’s like being a Jewish student on a college campus in 2022. While it’s still deeply frustrating to experience a big event being planned on Rosh Hashanah, the result has been the experience of being on the other side of forgiveness – the person who is being asked for it. And I’ll tell you, it has resulted in the beginning of a new, thoughtful partnership with a new Miami colleague. There’s power in seeking forgiveness but there’s equal power in giving it as well. 

Wishing you all a wonderful Rosh Chodesh Elul. May this year’s Elul be a time of renewal and forgiveness for you. 

Whitney Fisch, MSW
Executive Director