Friends,
As we enter our second Shabbat celebrated with worship via streaming, it seems an appropriate time to offer gratitude for the many kindnesses and gifts that have been shared during this difficult time.
Just as Temple is always here for you, so, too, have you been here for our Temple family. Many have reached out with offers of assistance and encouragement; the Temple Board, the Caring Community Committee, and other volunteers have embraced the opportunity to contact older members of the community to check in; medical professionals who are Temple members have offered their advice and sage counsel; and staff and lay leadership have labored to make difficult decisions swiftly and to communicate them effectively.
We are proud that Temple has crafted creative ways to respond in our community’s time of need. While we may be practicing “social distancing,” in some ways we are closer than ever.
- More than 1,500 joined us for Shabbat services last week via streaming: we hope that you will join us at 6:00 pm this evening for an inspirational service.
- Our Tot Shabbat will be streamed so toddlers and their families can enjoy wherever they are.
- We continue to work with b’nai mitzvah families to craft smaller services, consistent with public health orders, to enable our hard-working students to experience a memorable, if scaled-down, welcome to Jewish adulthood.
- Our religious education has moved online in record time, with Hebrew and Religion School taking place remotely. Our Saturday morning tefillah continues via Zoom.
- Our rabbis continue to respond creatively so that Jewish life may go on – even convening a virtual beit din (rabbinic court) to perform a conversion.
- We will be sending out materials for Shabbat observance at home, to enhance your Shabbat experience.
- Our rabbis will soon begin posting daily inspirational thoughts on social media, to keep the spark of Jewish community alive when we are not able to gather physically.
Just as our elected officials have done, we have made difficult decisions to preserve the health and well-being of our community, temporarily closing programs such as our beloved Jennifer Rosen Meade Preschool; moving online for Bridge Family Religion School, and creating virtual community overnight.
There will be difficult days ahead. But these are the times in which the true character of who we are as individuals and as a community shines forth. In these moments of stress and uncertainty, may we continue to serve as a beacon of hope, faith and goodness for one another… and for our world.
Please be on the lookout later today for our Shabbat service information and resource email.
Wishing you a healthy, safe, and peaceful Shabbat.
Rabbi Daniel Weiner