Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Months ago, I had arranged to visit my older son, Elie, who lives in Alpena, Michigan, from March 11-16. Who would have known that these six days away from Toronto would be so memorable?

Two days before I left from Toronto, hundreds had attended Beth Emeth for Purim eve services and our performance of Megilah-Mia. On Purim day, I sat around a table at a member's home with several people for a Purim Seudah. When I flew out Wednesday, the volume of people at Pearson was low, but my two planes were half filled. I interacted with business people, students on March break, even a colleague going to Florida for a week with a family of five. By Thursday afternoon, however, the situation had changed. Athletes and actors had tested positive. Professional sports shut down. You know the rest.

In Alpena, I was scheduled to be guest rabbi at the one little synagogue there, and which my son attends. A twenty family congregation comprised only of volunteers meets once or twice a month. I was set to officiate a Shabbat morning service and to teach about Passover on Sunday afternoon. When a guest rabbi shows up, many Christian clergy and parishioners attend to better understand their Jewish roots.

With the concerns of health and well being, should we meet or not? Should I dash back to Toronto? The Alpena community was eager to meet and adopt strict hygienic practices. I kept an eye on air traffic to Toronto. My return flight was already scheduled for this past Monday. And so - with a mixture of Jews and Christians, seventeen met on Shabbat, and twenty-five came on Sunday afternoon. We knew in advance that our numbers would be small enough to permit a safe gathering. The large local Churches had already shut down, like many of our synagogues in Toronto. An enriching time was had by all. I did return home safe and sound Monday night.

Who would have guessed that for the time being, my last public officiating would not be in Beth Emeth, but at Temple Beth-el in Alpena, Michigan? While I feel completely fine, health procedures now compel me to observe a two week self-isolation at home. Ironically. It coincides with my younger sister's birthday, today, March 17.

I and our shul's entire Beth Emeth leadership team are here to serve you by phone, video, and other forms of social media. I can always be reached at rabbim@beby.org or at 416-587-4918.

While we will not meet in shul this Shabbat, we conclude the book of Shmot-Exodus. I encourage us to study the assigned portions at home. The Torah reading begins with the word "Vayakhel - Moses congregated." From this one word comes "Kehila, a congregation and community." Even from our homes and private spaces, we continue to be a sacred community.

The second book of the Torah ends with the postscript words, "Chazak Chazak V"Nitchazek - Be of strength, be of strength, and let us together be strengthened as one. This is my prayer for us.

Rabbi Howard Morrison