So, what do we do now? We can mourn what we have lost due to Covid-19 and we have lost a lot. So far, we have lost our in person community seder, our in person Shabbat services, our potlucks, our onegs, and our in person religious school and t’filah. We’ve even lost our Jewish Heritage Night at the A’s baseball outing along with our Fourth of July booth and the Solano Stroll. Personally, I have lost live theater which has been part of my life since I was 9 years old. All this can be overwhelming and we can feel helpless, anxious, and alone.
Or, we can focus on what we have and what we can do and are doing. First and most importantly, we are helping each other stay safe by staying apart while knowing that even in our isolation we are not alone. Our religious school and adult education will continue online (almost certainly) in the Fall and although we can’t share food at our potlucks and onegs, we still gather virtually to light Shabbat candles and pray. We still have lay led Torah study every Saturday morning and Food for Thought is adapting and planning for December. Thanks to our Ritual Committee, led by Rabbi Dean and Cantor Shayndel, we will have meaningful observances of our High Holy Days. Collectively, we are meeting our Covid-19 challenges with perseverance, a lot of creativity and more than a little technology.
Of course we all eagerly look forward to safely gathering, but we really don’t have any idea when that can happen. What I am sure of is that we are still a vibrant, small and mighty congregation and when, not if, we get through this we will be stronger and much more appreciative of each other and all that we share as a Jewish community.
From the President – June 9, 2020
July 10, 2020 by tbhrich •
So, what do we do now? We can mourn what we have lost due to Covid-19 and we have lost a lot. So far, we have lost our in person community seder, our in person Shabbat services, our potlucks, our onegs, and our in person religious school and t’filah. We’ve even lost our Jewish Heritage Night at the A’s baseball outing along with our Fourth of July booth and the Solano Stroll. Personally, I have lost live theater which has been part of my life since I was 9 years old. All this can be overwhelming and we can feel helpless, anxious, and alone.
Or, we can focus on what we have and what we can do and are doing. First and most importantly, we are helping each other stay safe by staying apart while knowing that even in our isolation we are not alone. Our religious school and adult education will continue online (almost certainly) in the Fall and although we can’t share food at our potlucks and onegs, we still gather virtually to light Shabbat candles and pray. We still have lay led Torah study every Saturday morning and Food for Thought is adapting and planning for December. Thanks to our Ritual Committee, led by Rabbi Dean and Cantor Shayndel, we will have meaningful observances of our High Holy Days. Collectively, we are meeting our Covid-19 challenges with perseverance, a lot of creativity and more than a little technology.
Of course we all eagerly look forward to safely gathering, but we really don’t have any idea when that can happen. What I am sure of is that we are still a vibrant, small and mighty congregation and when, not if, we get through this we will be stronger and much more appreciative of each other and all that we share as a Jewish community.
We are Temple Beth Hillel.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when?
-Rabbi Hillel