Jewels of Elul IV

Rick Warren, Pastor of Megachurch in Saddelback, is not the only communal leader that has Obama and McCain on a joint billing.

LA musican, composer, and impresario of great community programs, Craig Taubman, has both Obama and McCain appearing in this year’s Jewels of Elul, a collection of inspirations for the High Holidays. Taubman started the Jewels of Elul project four years ago to bring together inspiring people to contribute a short piece for a compilation that is released every Elul.

In addition to Presidential candidates Obama and McCain, there are contributions this year from Philanthropist Lynn Schusterman, Jeffrey Katzenberg – CEO of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Rabbi David Wolpe, Eli Winkelman – founder of Challah for Hunger, and David Broza.

Past figures who have contributed to the booklet include Elie Wiesel, the Dalai Lama, Kirk Douglas, Matisyahu, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Copies of the booklet will be offered to synagogues and Jewish organizations across America at bulk rates and individuals will be able to register on the web to receive daily email throughout the month of Elul. Organizations can become a web-partner and earn complimentary copies of the book.

This year’s “Jewels of Elul” is being sponsored by the Stefan Adelipour for Life Foundation. Funds raised by the Foundation are being used to underwrite activities in Stefan’s memory, the largest so far being the new Burn and Trama Unit at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Wilf Children’s Hospital.

Elul starts on September 1, 2008. Craig Taubman’s Israel Celebration Program 60for60 were co-sponsors of this year’s 60bloggers project.