At the Beit Baruch Home for the Elderly of the Jewish Community of Dnipro, the month of Elul is marked by a special atmosphere of spiritual preparation for Rosh Hashanah. Elul is a time when a person turns inward, reflects on the past year, and prepares to begin the new one with good intentions and a striving for spiritual growth.
Throughout the month, Beit Baruch holds classes and events dedicated to the meaning and traditions of Elul. Residents learn why Elul is considered a time of special closeness between man and the Almighty. During these days, “the King is in the field”: the Almighty comes out to meet each person, drawing closer and becoming more accessible, making it easier for one to turn to Him with sincere prayer and requests for forgiveness.
The shofar is not merely one of the symbols of the approaching holiday. Its sound awakens the soul, reminds a person of their connection to the Almighty, and calls for teshuvah—a return to one’s true purpose. It is neither a melody nor an ordinary musical note: the simple and profound voice of the shofar helps a person reflect on the past year and prepare for Rosh Hashanah. Every day of the month of Elul, Rabbi Levi Artyushkin sounds the shofar so that every resident can hear this important call. Those who find it difficult to come to the communal gathering are not left out: the rabbi visits them in their rooms and sounds the shofar for them individually. In this way, the tradition becomes accessible to everyone, regardless of age or health.
“Throughout the month of Elul, we talk about the opportunity to pause, look at the past year, examine our actions, and think about what each of us can change for the better,” says Malvina Ruvinskaya, Director of Beit Baruch. “This is a time of inner work, good deeds, and preparation for Rosh Hashanah. And it is especially significant that every day we hear the sound of the shofar. We are grateful to our united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki for the fact that in our Home, everyone—regardless of age or health—feels part of a large Jewish family and can take part in preparing for the upcoming holiday.
