Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

At the Monday night evening service, our regular participants joined as usual. I am glad that in this challenging time, our virtual synagogue community remains vital and relevant for so many people. A few minutes before the service began, an unknown name appeared in the waiting room. I was nervous about admitting this person, given recent episodes of zoom bombing, but I took a chance. Services were still a few minutes away, and I had my host finger on the remove button just in case. In actuality, the person, a guest at first, became a friend right away. This man found our shul from the internet. He was looking for an evening service to observe the Yahrzeit for his father, of blessed memory. He was intrigued by the "Kaddish L'Yachid - personal Kaddish" we recite during our virtual services. In the shmoozing time before we started, I learned that he lives in Brazil, and that he knows a former classmate of mine from the 1980's who grew up in Brazil and serves there nowadays as a rabbi.

From an initial concern, I realized how powerful the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim, welcoming guests, is, especially during these extraordinary times. As we have seen with virtual technology, we have to be careful who joins us, but we also have to be optimistic and welcoming. Such was a nice experience at our service on Monday night.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison