Looking Back, Moving Forward (Leah Powell. High School Intern)
What Jewish Communities Around the World Are Doing to Stay Connected
It feels like just yesterday when they announced the Jewish school closures in Toronto on Friday, March 13. As the Torah teaches us, Jewish life is rooted in gathering, and community is essential to the observance of mitzvot and learning of Jewish values. Sadly, as more and more institutions were instructed to close their doors and we were told to “stay at home to stay safe,” it felt like it would be a tremendous loss for our special community.
In a show of enormous effort, the global Jewish community did not let this loss actually happen and pushed hard to find ways to unite us even though we were physically distant and isolated in our homes. In this blog post, I will be reviewing many of the positives the Jewish community has experienced during this COVID crisis that have brought joy and appreciation of our unique community.
The first Shabbos that all of the synagogues were ordered to close in Toronto, a Mizrachi pickup truck blasting Israeli Jewish music came down my street on Friday afternoon, bringing a smile to every person’s face. People came out of their houses with joy and excitement to welcome in the Shabbos, and it is a moment that I will never forget. This celebration happened again for the subsequent weeks until Pesach, and then once again on Lag B’omer.
In Israel, where restrictions on gatherings were put in place even earlier than Toronto, socially-distanced ceremonies and festivities could be seen in neighborhoods throughout the country. For instance, wedding celebrations were held on balconies or in front of homes with fellow neighbors dancing and clapping to share the family simcha. Life goes on, and it is clear that we as a community have not let this pandemic set us back, nor prevent any of life’s significant moments. Amidst all of the negativity and tragedy over what is happening, we continuously choose to acknowledge the good and continue to celebrate daily simchas. Many of the previously scheduled milestone events, such as Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Brit Milot and weddings have not been cancelled, but rather were pivoted by event planners and parents to be enjoyed virtually or at a distance. How extraordinary is it that in Israel, on Seder night, there was a communal singing of Mah Nishtana all across the country?
The teaching and learning has not stopped either; Zoom shiurim (classes) can be found at every hour of the day, and though they are not the same as in-person shiurim, they are more accessible to all and seeing each other’s faces connects us. For the “Yoms” (Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut), powerful ceremonies were held around the world where stories were retold, the same stories that have bound us together for generations. On Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Jewish youth organizations coordinated to have celebrity appearances of our favorite Jewish singers, actors, and artists, adding to the excitement of the day and bringing in thousands of viewers.
As we all know, we Jews love eating, especially gathered together around the Shabbos table, and this tradition has remained constant throughout this pandemic. Kosher restaurants have opened for curbside pickup, and neighbors have delivered foods to each other to resemble a shared family meal as they had pre-COVID when they marked Shabbos together. Chesed (charitable) organizations have also arranged for socially-distant food box preparation for the most fiscally vulnerable in the community.
Above all, it is Torah that unites us even when we are alone. Tonight, we know that millions of Jews around the world will be gathering with their families for a Shavuot dinner. The notion that we are all doing the same activities at the same time, learning the important lessons of the holiday, together with our families, further builds our much-needed sense of community, even in the most challenging times.
Though we are flooded with uncertainty and do not know when our “normal” life will resume, when we will be able to hug our friends and family and share smiles without masks with strangers on the sidewalk, one thing is for certain. The global Jewish community knows how to adapt to change and do everything possible to brighten our spirits and boost our connection during these trying times.
