Elul was established in 1989 by a group of Israelis from Israel's entire cultural and political spectrum: religious and secular, men and women, yeshiva students and former kibbutz members. Together they dreamed of a renewal in the Jewish study experience, and a peaceful accord between religious and secular Israelis, which would grow from joint Jewish study and open, respectful dialogue.

Today, the dream has come true. With an active Beit Midrash in Jerusalem, twenty five Study Communities all over Israel, special study programs for new immigrants, a Life Cycles study center, public lectures, creative workshops and seminars the year round and special overseas programs, Elul continues to develop and shape the culture of Jewish pluralism in Israel.