Notes From the Lampert Library

It’s that time of year. Summer flowers are starting to go to seed; vegetable gardens are bursting with produce; days are becoming visibly shorter. Purple plums and pears are ready for plucking if the squirrels don’t get there first.

Stores are filled with back to school items and people are taking that last vacation fling. Summer’s almost over although the calendar says that we have until September 23 to enjoy the season.

The Jewish calendar is turning, too. The month of Elul which falls in August/September represents that same turning of the year as the end of summer.

We look back to the past and forward to the new year, Rosh Hashanah, just a few weeks away. We gather our thoughts, as we gather the flowers and the produce.

To help you enter the upcoming Days of Awe, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, here are some relevant books.

There are also scores of websites filled with contemplative reading.

Don’t forget to go to shomrei.org/library for books on the upcoming Tishri holidays. The Lampert Library’s catalog is up and running and is now searchable. New books are added every day.

Agnon, Days of Awe: A Treasury of Jewish Wisdom for Reflections, Repentance and Renewal on the High Holy Days

Apisdorf, Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur Survival Kit
Hammer, Entering the High Holy Days: a complete guide to the history, prayers and themes

Lew, This is Real and You are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe As a Journey of Transformation

Olitzky, Preparing Your Heart For the High Holy Days

Riemer, So That Your Values Live On: Ethical Wills and How to Prepare Them