Start your year of learning as you mean to go on, by signing up for The London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS)’s Elul programme, which is the ideal way to get ready for the High Holy Days.

The programme features courses and events with top educators including a class on The Essence of Teshuva with S&P Senior Rabbi Joseph Dweck and the Transformative Texts of the High Holy Days with Dr Tanya White, senior lecturer at Matan and a Sacks Scholar.

Rabbi Joseph Dweck will be examining the concept of Teshuva and analysing key sources to argue that its essence is about structuring our life around mitzvot. Dr Tanya White’s three-week online course will focus on our relationship with God, teshuva through prayer and the meaning of life. By using classic and contemporary Torah commentaries as well as modern, philosophical and psychological thought, the course will uncover novel insights to provide a new-found appreciation of the High Holy Days’ texts.

Joanne Greenaway and Dr Yosefa (Fogel) Wruble will be examining How can we face it (Simchat Torah) again?,  in a special event on 23 September, which explores the Machzor and the Tanach to ask how we can prepare  ourselves for the High Holy Days in light of the tragedies we experienced this year.

The special events will conclude with Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum asking why our Sages instituted a minor fast immediately after Rosh Hashanah. The Incongruous Fast: What does Gedalia have to do with Repentance?, on 6 October, will look at what Gedalia’s story can teach us about Israeli politics and our hopes for the future at this difficult time.

LSJS will also be hosting the UK launch of Gila Fine’s new book, The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic: Rereading the Women of the Talmud. Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum will take part in an online conversation with Gila to discuss her new book on the six named heroines of the Talmud. Attendees will be able to purchase discounted copies of the book at the event.

There is also a special series of LSJS’ popular free Covenant & Continuity weekly class on Rabbi Sacks’ thought, attended by students from around the world. For Elul, the course will be switching from the weekly parasha to looking at Rabbi Sacks’ ideas on the High Holidays, developed by educators who were his students. Join Rabbi Alex Israel, Rabbi Gideon Sylvester, Dr Lindsay Simmonds and Michael Rainsbury for this special four-week course.

“We know that many people are looking for Jewish ideas that are profound, true to tradition and in harmony with our modern lives. Our Elul programme will give you fresh approaches to make the High Holy Days meaningful, while tackling the specific challenge of how we face Simchat Torah, one year on since 7 October,” said Michael Rainsbury, LSJS’ Head of Adult Education.

“We are proud to be providing such a high-calibre Elul programme to the community and hope it keeps going from strength to strength each year,” said Joanne Greenaway, Chief Executive of LSJS.

To book your place for the LSJS Elul programme, please visit ww.lsjs.ac.uk or call 020 8203 6427.