A Pastoral State of the Union - After Three Months
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Dear Congregational Family,
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I had visited my older son Elie in Alpena, Michigan from Wednesday, March 11, through Monday, March 16. On the previous Monday, March 9, hundreds of people had celebrated Purim in our shul. One week later, on the night of March 16, ours was one of the last shuls in the GTA to hold a daily evening service. On Tuesday, March 17, lock down began in almost every synagogue in the area.
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Sad as it was to enter a new normal, Beth Emeth did not slow down. We quickly configured an online daily weekday morning and evening service which followed our interpretation of Halakha and which enabled individuals to pray as a group, in which mourners could recite a form of Kaddish which did not necessitate a physically present Minyan, and which brought groups of daveners together, whether they be five or thirty at any given service.
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Our entire clergy team got involved with spiritual outreach: Classes in Pirkei Avot, the weekly Parsha, Tefila training, Reel n Shpiel, chanting from the weekly Torah portion, a young families pre-Shabbat, a Cantorial Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah, daily printed messages, all conducted using social media.
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Our various committees started having on going adult education, guest speakers, social gatherings, and more. Our Chesed committee members called our elderly and vulnerable members. Our volunteer leadership continued to meet even more than ever before to ensure the vitality of our synagogue.
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While some lifecycle celebrants chose to reschedule their Simchas, others maintained their original plans. While adhering to provincial guidelines and physical distancing, I have gone to private homes on a weekly basis to officiate a baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, or wedding. Funerals cannot be delayed. Over the past three months, many small graveside funerals have taken place, adhering to new guidelines and protocols.
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When I take a step back and look at all we have done over the last three months, exactly since we had to close our doors to the public, we have come so far in many ways. I am proud to be Senior Rabbi of Beth Emeth, and I am proud of the kind of congregation we are.
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I pray that during the Summer weeks, we will open our shul slowly and safely. For the time being, we will continue to be the best we can under unprecedented circumstances.
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I hope that each and everyone of you will stay the course with your shul. Please let me, our clergy team, our office, or a volunteer leader know when any particular need arises.
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Stay safe, healthy, and well. Better Days are coming.
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Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison