As the moon begins to wane this August, we await the new moon of Rosh Chodesh Elul, the first of the month of preparation for Rosh HaShanah. The nights of Elul are a count-down to Slichot, the Saturday before Rosh HaShanah. For the community, the New Jewish Year is a time of sweetness and celebration. For the individual, Rosh HaShanah is truly the sign of the last chance to clear up any unfinished business before Yom Kippur. The ten days fly by until Yom Kippur stretches out as a long day of hard spiritual work.