Reflections by Shlomo Elkan
Personal reflections on Jewish life, memory, teshuva, and the experiences that continue to shape how I see the world.
On the Precipice
Three months into life in Jerusalem, the quiet month of Cheshvan is bringing unexpected reasons to celebrate. The children are finding their place, exciting possibilities are taking shape for Devorah, and Eitzah is beginning to grow. A reflection on Reb Hillel Paritcher, new beginnings, and the excitement of what lies ahead.
Heavy Reading
After making Aliyah, I discovered that unpacking my books meant sorting through far more than a library. Each volume carried memories of another place, another season, and the person I was when I first opened it.
Hearing Omi’s Voice Again
On my grandmother’s yahrzeit, listening to her recorded testimony and remembering a visit to Yad Vashem with my son bring the responsibility of passing on family stories into focus.
Chassidus and Iran: How Memory Rebuilds the Future
An evening with Iranian activists and Israelis in Jerusalem prompts thoughts about exile, memory, and renewal, alongside a conversation about how Chassidic learning can deepen everyday life.