Before the High Holidays, the Jewish people must look inward – opinion

As the Hebrew month of Elul begins, the Jewish calendar calls for a "cheshbon hanefesh," an accounting of the soul, in preparation for the High Holidays. This period encourages introspection, self-assessment, and a willingness to change, symbolized by the daily shofar blast. While acknowledging external threats like antisemitism and geopolitical challenges, the article emphasizes the need for internal reflection on damaged relationships within the Jewish community. It highlights that Jewish tradition, exemplified by figures like Hillel and Shammai, has always accommodated disagreement, but warns against political differences leading to estrangement and moral excommunication. The author, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, stresses that "a people facing enemies from without cannot afford to treat every disagreement within as a civil war." Repentance, both individual and collective, involves humility, listening, and seeking forgiveness to strengthen communal bonds, ensuring that the Jewish people stand together as one.