Page 10 - Jewish News_August-2020

10 August 2020 COMMUNITY FOCUS

Area synagogues pivot services and programming

in response to virus

By Gayle Guynup

ith the Coronavirus global said. This has meant that all of the efit the food banks of Manasota. ties (also in lockdown mode) and we
pandemic still impacting members have been sheltering in place “The success rate has been very were also viewed by 1,500 virtual
Wour local community, area since mid-March or before. While this gratifying, and using Zoom allows our guests! This success led us to offer a
synagogues are having to adjust, piv- presented many challenges, members local community and snowbirds to stay virtual Torah service, again with more
oting many of their services and much have been staying in touch with each in touch and be active with our con- than 1,000 viewers, followed by a Sep-
of their programming to mainly virtual other and reaching out virtually. “Para- gregation as our Education Committee hardic Shavuot service as well, all on
platforms, as long as social distancing doxically, we, as a congregation, are continues to develop programming for Facebook Live.”
guidelines remain intact. The question busier than ever. Our spirits have risen, the upcoming summer months,” she For the High Holidays, the temple
now is, where do they go from here? and there is a real eagerness to connect added. will offer services virtually and main-
As Rabbi Barbara Aiello of Congrega- with each other. It is as if we are a new While only two members were tain a wait-and-see perspective regard-
tion Ner Tamid noted, “There are times congregation, not one that is about to proficient in Zoom when all of this be- ing in-person services. Its plan is to
when the challenges seem great, but be 25 years old,” Moore added. gan, the congregation now has many hold a First Responders and Caregiv-
the Psalmist reminds me in 32:8, ‘I will The congregation has updated its who will host events. “Our Zoom ser- ers High Holiday service on a day and
instruct you and teach you in the way website, rooted through its trove of vices, in particular, are well attended time that accommodates shift changes
you should go; I will counsel you with photos for memorable moments to in- and it makes everyone’s heart glad to and the fact that so many will have to
my loving eye on you.’ Faith will see clude in upcoming services in the fall, see each other even though we can- come and go throughout the service.
me through.” and is now holding Zoom meetings not be together physically. In addition, “For me as a rabbi, the virus has
Read below how our area temples with the three other Humanistic Jew- we have enhanced our newsletter to presented several challenges. First, it
and synagogues pivoted to meet these ish congregations in Florida, as well keep our congregation informed of our has been difficult adapting to the lack
challenging times. as with its national umbrella organiza- Zoom services and programming,” she of contact with our older members, es-
CONGREGATION FOR tion, Moore said. “Of course, we have said. pecially those who were ill and could
HUMANISTIC JUDAISM also enjoyed all the wonderful offer- Congregation Kol HaNeshama has not have visitors. And, for families
According to President Margo Moore, ings produced by the Federation here not yet finalized plans for the High where a loved one has passed away, it
the Congregation for Humanistic Juda- in Sarasota. In short, we are adapting Holidays. According to Milberg, the has been especially challenging to offer
ism stopped having live services and and learning as we go along.” ritual practices committee, along with a service that incorporates warmth and
programs after Purim. “We depended CONGREGATION the Rabbi, are hard at work dotting all caring when the number of mourners
on phone calls and emails until we be- KOL HANESHAMA the i’s and crossing the t’s, and plans is limited and when the service itself
came familiar with Zoom,” she said. As we all know, the virus struck at should be finalized shortly. must be done virtually.
“We are now planning our virtual High the height of season. But according to CONGREGATION NER TAMID “Also, the technical aspects of
Holiday services in conjunction with President Linda Milberg of Congrega- In mid-February, Congregation Ner serving my communities virtually
our sister congregation, Humanistic tion Kol HaNeshama, leaders realized Tamid was able to celebrate its annual have been challenging. I’ve had to re-
Jews of Tampa Bay. This has been an that their highest priority was to fol- interfaith event, an Italian dinner and tire my opinion of myself as a “tech-
extraordinary leap for us, as it has taken low the three Cs: community, contact lecture shared with the Jewish commu- noklutz” and open myself to learning
a period of time for us to get comfort- and content. “To that end, we reached nity at a local Italian-American club. how to use technology to best serve my
able with Zoom and with going virtual out by phone to every member of the According to Rabbi Barbara Aiello, congregants. That means I’ve learned
for the foreseeable future. In conjunc- congregation and created online Zoom this event has been a winter highlight about positioning, lighting, sound and
tion with all the Humanistic Jewish programming with everything from for Ner Tamid for nearly 10 years, and content adaptations, and how these
congregations in North America, we our mid-day schmooze & happy hour it was fortunate that the virus lockdown elements affect the transmission. For
are staying virtual for the remainder of to stress reduction and new classes – had yet to happen. By mid-March, Ner example, I announced a Kabbalat
the year.” Mussar, Pirkei Avot, Jewish Ethics Tamid had cancelled several services Shabbat service by encouraging every-
Moore added that congregants have and Morality to Open the Country, and and its annual Passover Seder. one to have one Shabbat candle ready
responded extremely positively to the Cooking for Shavuot – while still keep- “By then, I had returned to Italy, so to light. I would have the other candle
changes. “Many of our members live ing our established classes going,” she for Passover I offered a virtual Seder in front of me on screen. Together we
in extended-care facilities and are in said. Kol HaNeshama held a congrega- in the Sephardic style. It was viewed would kindle the lights of Shabbat. For
the most vulnerable age group,” Moore tional Mitzvah Day on June 15 to ben- by our Florida and Italian communi- continued on page 12

We Are

Grateful...

...17,000 North American donors have committed over

$1 billion in legacy gifts through partner collaboration with

the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY
®
initiative. Locally, through this endowment-building effort,

83 donors have committed a legacy gift to our Federation

with a total estimated value of $4.9 million.

T h i s i s j u s t t h e b e g i n n i n g
This is just the beginning
s
i
u
h f
n
r
a
w
e
t J
t
a
n
M
a
-
e
.
e
a
t
n S
a
e i
u
r
o
t
s
r
a
i
d
w
y
-
r
t t
o
e e
ff
o
m
f a c
of a community-wide effort to ensure a vibrant Jewish future in Sarasota-Manatee.
o
i
t
n
m
u
o e
i
s
e a v
u
n
b
r
a
n u
i
s
e jo
P
Please join us!.
!
s
e
.
l
To discuss creating your Jewish legacy, contact:
Ilene Fox
941.343.2111 | ifox@jfedrsq.org | JFEDSRQ.org/Legacy
For virtual events, visit our community calendar at jfedsrq.org/events