08/31/2026
I LOVE that I get to learn along with my students and have taken a deep dive in learning about Elul.
I was reading about what is significant about the month of Elul, I learned that the Hebrew letters that spell Elul (אֱלוּל- aleph, lamed, vav, lamed) are the same letters used in the phrase Ani l’dodi v’dodi li (I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine).
I thought that was really cool, because the verse Ani l’dodi v’dodi li was woven throughout my wedding. I bought Michael, my husband, a ring as an anniversary present with that verse. I always believed it to be about the love and commitment between a bride and groom. But rather, the rabbis used the metaphor of a bride and groom to represent the relationship between us and God. On my trip down the world wide web rabbit hole, I read a kavanah that said that in order to reconnect with God, we have to reconnect with ourselves. To be our own beloved and truly love ourselves. I could not stop thinking about what the author wrote! I began to really think about what I love about myself, and not focus on (what I see as) my flaws. The author talked about putting sticky notes on their mirror to remind them of their personal goals and that seeing them and seeing their progress reminds them to love themselves on their life journey.
I have started a sticky note wall for myself. The first one I wrote: “I accept and love myself. I am beautiful!”
I am my beloved!
What will your sticky notes say?
L’ Shanah Tova,
Lyn Block
Youth Program Coordinator
