Blog

There is one story that has served as a returning source of inspiration and wisdom for us over the past year and a half of the pandemic. It’s the story of the great 2nd-century sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. During a time of both political upheaval and plague, the Talmud tells us that Shimon bar Yochai hid in a cave where he stayed isolated for many years. Upon finally leaving the cave, one might have expected him to rejoice returning to life, or to mourn the years that he lost. But instead, he becomes incredibly angry at the people he sees around him, even destructive, so much so that a voice from the heavens tells him that maybe he’s not quite ready to come out of the cave after all.

It’s one of those stories that we never could have imagined would be so relatable. Yet as we all begin to reemerge into the world, we have to acknowledge how very differently we have responded to the events of the pandemic, and how it’s affecting our readiness to open our doors once again. Our reactions, like bar Yochai’s, are unexpected. Some are diving in, just so thrilled at being able to be with friends and family after such a long hiatus that being together brings us to tears. Others are deeply cautious, anxious not only about the threats of the virus that still exists but also unaccustomed to being around people in what used to be the normal way. There is no new normal, and each of us is figuring out day to day how to reset our priorities, our daily routines, and our relationships.

At Temple Israel, our priorities remain what they have been since the pandemic began. First and foremost, safety; our reopening plan is intentionally cautious and tiered so that each month we take another step towards opening our doors wider. We want to ensure that we have thought through all of the practical and emotional needs of everyone who walks through our doors, and that means a thoughtful, informed process. Our incredible Reemergence Task Force has been a wonderful support in guiding us through these unprecedented decisions.

Our other top priority is ensuring that we are giving people the religious, communal, and educational experiences they need, whether they’re virtual or in person. We will continue to have accessible, high-quality, engaging virtual experiences for those who have found that they’re still not ready to venture out, or who may even prefer the convenience and comfort of virtual Judaism. When you are ready to walk in our doors, we will feel confident that we can safely and comfortably provide the experiences and relationships that have become more valuable than ever over this past year and a half.

We cannot wait to see you all face to face once again. But we have all become experts in patience, and recognize that to rush together would mean not being aware of the very different, individual needs of the members of our community, each of whom needs to make it back in their own way. So, we’ll be waiting. And when the time is right, we will look forward to seeing you and welcoming you, maybe not yet with hugs, but with fist bumps and open arms.

Rabbi Amy Feder & Rabbi Michael Alper