The summer is ending, even if the heat and humidity remain for a time. Our children will head back to school after Labor Day next week.

It’s been a summer season of drama for our country. We watched as our two major political parties held nominating conventions, placing the Republican business tycoon Donald Trump against the former first lady, New York Senator and Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton. Many of us watch in interest as the candidates seek to overcome their foibles and ask for votes as they head toward the November 8 general election.

Some of us were caught up in the allure of the Summer Olympics, watching athletes for two weeks whose names, with the exception of a select few, will fade from memory at least for four years.

Perhaps we’ve been lulled to sleep by that day’s “reality” programming.

But with Rosh Chodesh Elul upon us, it is about to get extremely real, personally real. Over the next 30 days, we would be wise to begin the self-preparation for Rosh Hashanah and, 10 days later, for Yom Kippur.

Our senses are awakened with each blast of the shofar we hear going into the Yomim Noraim, and it is now time to come to terms with ourselves with painful clarity as we prepare during this time of slicha.

It is also a time to remember where we were as individuals before Hashem last year, and check to see if the promises we made were kept and if the goals of personal growth were reached.

The presidential election and the many issues facing us as New Jersey residents, American citizens and supporters of our beloved Israel will still be there even as we emerge from Elul into Cheshvan. But now, to be better parents, children, spouses, sons and daughters, it’s time to look within.

We’ve all got work to do.

Happy Rosh Chodesh Elul.

By JLNJ Staff