Rabbi's Message: A New Shabbat

Nine weeks ago (but who's counting?) we held our first Shabbat services on Zoom. At the time, I thought it would be a short term response to a short term challenge...it is now clear that it may be a long term response to a long term challenge for a whole lot of people. So I've been thinking about what I miss about being together in our building, as well as trying to focus on the benefits of being online, at least for now...
Ten things I miss about Shabbat in the building (in no particular order):

1. The folks who haven't been able to join for Zoom services

2. Kids running up to the bima and dancing

3. Eye contact

4. Hugs

5. The Torah scrolls...seeing them, touching them, reading from them, even rolling them

6. Blessing and breaking bread together

7. Aaron's cooking (especially his hummus)

8. DaVid's cooking (especially his guacamole)

9. Tourists who stumble upon the synagogue

10. Unpredictable laughter from small group conversations

And yet being online has also brought increased participation and overcome some of the challenges we faced. So here are ten things I love about Zoom services (in no particular order):

1. The folks who have been able to come that weren't able to come to the building

2. Many people are able to join right at the start time (I've never seen so many people on Saturday mornings at 9am!)

3. Free Parking

4. Seeing old and new members of the IADS family from all over the country

5. No one has to run downstairs when the doorbell rings

6. No one gets hit by the door to the IADS coat closet

7. I finally get to meet the people in your homes who don't come to services downtown

8. With the siddur and Torah reading right on the screen, no one gets lost

9. The mute function. Need I say more?

10. And the chat function. We get to laugh at everyone's jokes.

And of course, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Thank you for continuing to actively participate in leading our worship, community building, and learning. Thank you, Liz, for keeping us safe and organized. Thank you for reaching out to each other in moments of joy and grief. Thank you for making each other laugh. Please feel free to share some of the things you miss, and you love, too.
I look forward to "seeing" you tonight. Shabbat Shalom.