Dear Friends,
This past week was a moment of nachas for our community.
We launched our first-ever JKids Camp—and the joy was unmistakable.
From challah baking to tie-dyeing T-shirts,
from spirited singing to new friendships,
our children experienced Judaism as alive, joyful, and theirs.
from spirited singing to new friendships,
our children experienced Judaism as alive, joyful, and theirs.
A huge thank you to our amazing staff—
for your creativity, care, and heart.
And to the Jewish Federation’s Impact Grant—
your support didn’t just fund a camp,
you helped build a future of Jewish pride.
for your creativity, care, and heart.
And to the Jewish Federation’s Impact Grant—
your support didn’t just fund a camp,
you helped build a future of Jewish pride.
This past week, we stepped into the hebrew month of Elul (the month before Rosh Hashana).
Every month on the Jewish calendar has its energy.
The month of of Elul is a time when Chassidic teachings describe our closeness to G-d Almighty with the parable of “The King in the field.”
Every month on the Jewish calendar has its energy.
The month of of Elul is a time when Chassidic teachings describe our closeness to G-d Almighty with the parable of “The King in the field.”
What does that mean?
Most of the year the King is in the palace—
protocol, distance, formality.
protocol, distance, formality.
But in Elul the King comes out into the field.
No guards. No gates.
Every person—farmer, child, passerby—can greet Him.
And He welcomes each one with warmth.
No guards. No gates.
Every person—farmer, child, passerby—can greet Him.
And He welcomes each one with warmth.
So too this month is where G-d is very close to us in our regular lives. We can feel G-d's presence in simple acts of goodness and holiness.
The Rebbe made this very real to a 12 year old Yanky Herzog, who recounts how the Rebbe told him:
What does it mean "the King is in the field"? It means even when a child makes a bracha (blessing on food) in Elul—simple, sincere, maybe rushed—
they should know: the King is right there, smiling.
they should know: the King is right there, smiling.
Elul is not about being perfect.
It’s about being present.
Every mitzvah. Every blessing or prayer we make.
Each is a moment with the King of all kings.
It’s about being present.
Every mitzvah. Every blessing or prayer we make.
Each is a moment with the King of all kings.
And here in Rochester, we’re bringing this closeness into our own “fields”
through I AM YISRAEL CHAI: Mezuzah Awareness Month.
through I AM YISRAEL CHAI: Mezuzah Awareness Month.
We’ll be placing mezuzahs on doorways across our community.
Because a mezuzah isn’t just a scroll. It’s a statement:
This home is holy. This Jewish family is proudly connected to their heritage.
Because a mezuzah isn’t just a scroll. It’s a statement:
This home is holy. This Jewish family is proudly connected to their heritage.
Just as the King comes to us in Elul,
we go out to our neighbors with love and pride—
offering mezuzahs, sharing connection,
and reminding every Jew: you belong.
we go out to our neighbors with love and pride—
offering mezuzahs, sharing connection,
and reminding every Jew: you belong.
Let’s greet the King together.
Let’s make Elul a month of mitzvahs,
of connection,
of quiet revolution—
one doorway at a time.
Let’s make Elul a month of mitzvahs,
of connection,
of quiet revolution—
one doorway at a time.
With blessings for a meaningful Elul, and a joyful Shabbos,
Rabbi Yitzi Hein
Rabbi Yitzi Hein
P.S. If you want to be a sponsor of Mezuzah for this month's project - you can be one of the I AM YISRAEL CHAI Project sponsors here