This is what I wrote in our synagogue newsletter:
Ma Nishtanah…
What is different?
EVERYTHING is
different!! We will not be having a Community Seder or a Women’s Seder, and
perhaps your Seder will be different from any you ever had before in your life.
We aren’t going out
except for necessary shopping. The movie
theaters, some restaurants, all schools, are closed. We cannot hug or shake
hands as we used to. If we touch any
surface we have a sanitizing wipe or spray on hand so as not to spread or pick
up this insidious virus. Our generation has not experienced this kind of global
calamity, this level of emergency, that changes all our previous expectations
about how we can make schedules, travel plans, or be in charge of our
lives. We just do not know.
So what can we do? We can call on our very highest selves and
offer help to those whose immune systems are compromised; we must be extremely
careful since we can no longer visit elders in assisted living or really have
contact with seniors to whom we might bring an infection. But we can do errands, deliver, and wipe,
wipe, wipe with strong antiseptic solutions.
We can reach out by phone and email and any other way possible.
There are an increasing
number of classes, meditations, programs, and services online. We, at the JCSVV, are experimenting with live
streaming through a closed facebook group.
You already have gotten instructions and invitations to join that
group. I am working with Helen King, our
JCSVV president, with Sheryl Tuchman, who has graciously taught me how to
arrange live streaming of Erev Shabbat services, and with other members of our
Board and our congregation on seeking ways to support each other and stay
connected, which is the major mission of our Jewish community. I have reached out to each member, including
our associate members living elsewhere, and have heard so many encouraging
examples of how you are staying balanced, upbeat, wisely safe, and “hunkering
down” – that expression was the one I heard most often.
So, as we are all in
the wilderness of just not knowing, let’s keep in mind the shining example of
walking toward the Promised Land, which, in our case, might mean once again
being able to congregate in our sanctuary and social hall, enjoy the enlivening
experience of group gatherings, and oh, will we ever appreciate all that we
took for granted, just a few short weeks ago!
The physical synagogue
building might be closed, and the planned-for schedule might be postponed, but
our connection is solid, and we will find ways to stay “in touch.”
Blessing
for Nissan. (March 26 – April 24, 2020)
During
this time of uncertainty and forced isolation, let us draw on the faith and
strength of our ancestors who weathered many disasters and dispersions, so that
we stay whole, in the best possible health, and remain a community that reaches
out by any means to each other to support and uplift each other. –Amen.
