Page 9-THE NEWS-September, 1984
Present For The Future
The Month of Elul
By Rabbi Yossi Groner
THE MONTH OF ELUL
Elul — the last month of the
year, has many characteristics
to it. It is the month of taking
stock, when we account for all
our deeds of the past eleven
months.
Elul is also the month which
prepares us for the new year.
This month has also been caU-
ed the month of refuge. This
concept is similar to the idea
of “city of refuge.”
The city of refuge was in*
stituted by G-d in the Torah.
When one kills another
unintentionally he can escape
to a city of re^ge in order to
avoid revenge by a relative of
the victim.
Similarly we have one
month in the year when we are
given a chance to take refuge
and correct our past deeds.
Our sages explain that a per
son can take refuge in the
words of the Torah and Tfilla
(prayer), for through them one
can return to G*d.
KING IN THE FIELD
Another example is given to
describe the importance of
Elul. A king lived in a great
palace in the distant capital ci*
ty and it was very difficult to
get an audience with him. Dur
ing one month of a year he
came out and visited the peo
ple in the field. Anyone who
wanted to see him could ap
proach him and express all
their wishes. They would then
accompany the king back to
the palace where he welcomed
them into his royal chambers.
So, too, it is during the
month of Elul that G-d, our
King, leaves his royal cham
bers and visits aU his people in
the field. Anyone of us can ap
proach Him and request all
that our hearts desire. When
the month of Elul is over and
Rosh Hashanah is here we are
welcomed into the royal
chambers apd feel very close
to G-d.
During the month of Elul we
listen to the sound of the
Shofar each day except on the
day before Rosh Hashanah.
This serves as a reminder that
we are to awaken from our
sleep and prepare ourselves for
the New Year.
It is also customary in the
month of Elul to increase the
study of Torah, prayer and
charity, and by improving
relations with other people we
improve our relationship with
G-d, who in turn blesses us
with a year of light, of bless
ing and a year of health, hap
piness and success.
**Let*s Talk” Week Features Eleanor Norton
Highlighting the third An
nual “Let’s Talk” Week, Oc
tober 2-9 in Charlotte, will be
Eleanor Holms Norton, speak
ing on the “Role of the Fami
ly,” Thursday, October 11,
7:30 p.m. at Myers Park High
School Auditorium, 2400 Col
ony Road. Professor Norton’s
appearance is sponsored by
The March of Dimes and The
Mecklenburg Council on
Adolescent Pregnancy. There
will be a $2.00 donation at the
door, students and senior
citizens free.
Eleanor Holms Norton is
the former chairperson of the
United States Equal Employ
ment Opportunities Commis
sion in Washington, DC from
1977 to 1981 and is now a pro
fessor of Law at Georgetown
University Law Center,
Washington, DC. Professor
Norton has been widely hailed
by rights activists and
employers alike for her unique
ability to affect change. She is
a recognized authority on an
impressive range of domestic
issues including the family,
the single parent and poverty,
race and sex matters, com
parable worth and other social
and economic issues.
“Let,s Talk” Week is coor
dinated in conjunction with
National Family Sexuality
Education Week, during
which time churches.
synagogues, agencies, youth
groups and community
organizations offer speakers.
films, conferences and special
activities promoting family
education about sexuality.
fii
AFTER SCHOOL CARE
FOR
3-5 YEAR OLDS
Monday • Friday
1-5 p.m.
Complete Educational Program
Offered in an Open Classroom Atmosphere
Transportation Available
Come See Us!
6500 Newhall Rd.
366-3984
SUNNY REALTY
4715 PARK ROAD
Free Scholarship To A
Real Estate School
Ben Massachi Marilee Ortagus
527-2426
G
REETINGS AND
BEST WISHES FOR
A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Alan Oxman (pictured above)
and Robert Gilley (pictured on
right), of the firm of Culbertson,
Gilley and Hubbard, have
donated a Victor 9000 computer
to the Charlotte Jewish Founda
tion and the Foundation. In
combination with the Victor
computer already in operation,
the new equipment will greatly
increase the efficiency of the
operation, provide word pro
cessing power in addition to
making Gloria Hunter, Federa-
tion/Fo un da tion secre tary,
positively ecstatic.
rrrrrrrrryTTiTrdTrrnnrrmnrrr»vyrriTrrrrrrri i i »
FOR ISRAEL’S DOUBLE “CHAI”
and
FOR UNITED JERUSALEM’S “CHAI”
In this period of economic difficulties in Israel, each
Israel Bond commitment during the coming holidays will
send your message to the people of Israel that you stand
shoulder to shoulder with them as they seek to turn their
economy around.
With a budget that Is stretched thin, ImrmmI nmmdm
your Bond loan mor* than ovor before to help eon-
tinua Important davalopmant projaets.
Remember — your Israel Bond purchase is your
most diract way of helping to build Israel. It expresses
your active support for Israel's economic well-being and
strengthens your partnership with the people of Israel
at this critical time.
e
«
:
AND AFTER YOU PURCHASE BONDS...
Start a visit to Israel for your children, your grand
children or for yourself by additional purchases of
the new improved State of Israel $250 Certificates.
• Certificates at least one-year-old can be used
as payment for El Al Israel Airline tickets for
flights to and from Israel under current
provisions.
• When cashed in Israel after being held for at
least one year, the holder will receive Israeli
currency for the following amounts:
$260 — after 1 year from Issue date
$275 — after 2 years
$295 — after 3 years
$320 — after 4 years
$360 — after 5 years
/
Above all, certificate purchases strengthen iden
tification with Israel through enjoyable and exciting
visits.
During the High Holy Days
BUY MORE ISRAEL BONDS THAN BEFORE
SUPPORT CHARLOTTE ISRAEL BOND CAMPAIGN
Sam Lerner, Charlotte Committee Israel Bonds
State of Israel Bonds
Development Corporation for Israel
210-25th Ave. North
Suite 135
r Nashville, TN 37203 ^
^.uuLfl 0 a.ajuLft tan a j a,t.a m a a am >.«.i.a.tAuuuu.ft.t.aX