Elul Reflections - High Holy Days 2024
Amanda Campbell and Elizabeth Bake

Amanda Campbell
How often over this past year have you said something like the following?
“I have to get to the grocery store today.”
“I should sign up my kid up for that class.”
“These kids are driving me crazy.”
I am often so exhausted at the end of the day because of the tasks I had to do (or should have done), and the emotions that I felt because of the actions of other people. Then this summer, while working in the Early Childhood Center, I had the privilege of learning more about Conscious Discipline, which is a brain-based, social emotional learning model used by our ECC teachers. One of the questions that is presented to teachers and parents during Conscious Discipline training is, “Who is in charge of you?” This question is meant to remind parents and educators that power comes from choice, not force.
This question made me think about how often my internal monologue is declaring that I am being forced to do something, a victim to the world around me, rather than allowing me to claim responsibility for my choices and my behavior. By using words like “have to” and “should” and “need to”, I am, in essence, giving away my power of free will. Dr. Becky A. Bailey explains it as follows:
“Make me” language allows us to avoid responsibility and accountability for our actions because it essentially says, “Someone or something external forced me to choose this or act this way.” This robs us of both the joys of our successes and of the ability to learn from our mistakes.
Instead, Dr. Bailey suggests we replace words of force with words of choice. Instead of the internal monologues presented above, she suggests we try the following:
“I am going to get to the grocery store today.”
“I may decide to sign up my kid for that class.”
“I am choosing to go crazy because of the noise in this classroom. I could choose differently.”
Will these slight grammatical changes change our “to-do” lists or prevent others from acting in ways that “make us crazy”? Of course not. But it will help us begin to claim responsibility for our choices and our behaviors.  It will help us honor our will and the will of others.
This Elul, I encourage you to make the choice to practice changing your powerless language into a language of responsibility and choice. 
Shanah Tovah,
Amanda
 
Elizabeth Bakke
What are the Jewish High Holidays?
What is Rosh Hashanah?
What is Yom Kippur?
What is the significance of the Ten Days of Repentance?
How are these holidays observed?
What is the role of the shofar?
What are the traditional greetings?
What are some common customs during this time?
As I prepare to embark on my first season as the new director of Temple Chai's Early Childhood Center, the approaching Jewish High Holidays have sparked a deep sense of curiosity and reflection within me. The significance of these sacred days, with their rich traditions and profound meanings, has prompted many questions as I seek to understand and connect with them on a deeper level. My heart is full of excitement and wonder as I think about how these holidays will be observed within our community and how we will convey their importance to our young students.
As I delve into my own questions—about the rituals of Rosh Hashanah, the solemnity of Yom Kippur, and the introspection of the Ten Days of Repentance—I can't help but wonder how these concepts will resonate with our students. How do they perceive the sound of the shofar? What do they think about the idea of starting a new year? What questions might they have as they experience these traditions, perhaps for the first time? My own journey of exploration and understanding seems to mirror the students’ experiences of discovery, and I’m eager to guide them as we all navigate the wonder and meaning of the High Holidays together.
 
Elizabeth Bakke
Temple Chai
ECC Director