When will life return to normal? So many questions vex us these days, causing anxiety and distress. We realize that though we learn more each day, we are dealing with uncertainly and divisiveness. This challenges our ability to hold civil debate necessary to move forward. What is the remedy to these challenges? 

The movie “Grosse Pointe Blank” (1997) provides an answer, shockabuku — “a swift spiritual kick to the head that alters your reality forever.” Yes, we are in need of a shocking and profound change in our perspective. Fortunately, our Jewish tradition provides this blow. Our High Holy Days ask that we take time for radical introspection and self-improvement.   

This shockabuku is good for us. It helps us to determine how we best fit in the world; how we can become better people and thereby improve the world around us. And all this begins in the Hebrew month of Elul, the month that precedes Rosh HaShanah. 

This year we hope that our spiritual knock to our head allows us to see the world anew, with the hope and possibility for a better, more fulfilling life and world. May this season open our eyes to see the similarities in those who are different from us and help us to find common ground with which to create peace. 

We welcome you to join us for High Holy Day services at Temple Bat Yam of East Fort Lauderdale, safely online. Please visit our website at www.templebatyam.org for more information.