In these challenging times we are determined to continue to provide Shabbat services for our community. This weekend we livestreamed both of our services on our Facebook page.
On Friday evening we held our monthly musical Shabbat service with Tom Smith accompanying on his guitar. You can watch the service here (please note that there was no sound for the first few minutes).
Rabbi René gave a moving sermon about the current situation, ending with a positive message:
“We will come out of this stronger, more connected, with a greater sense of togetherness. We have to remember that this too shall pass, even if we are probably in the early stages of the ascending curve of this outbreak. Eventually it will recede and disappear, but all the structures we’ve created to strengthen our community will remain beyond it. So please, stay safe wherever you are, ask for help if needed, offer your help if you can, use this time to reflect on what’s really important in your life; take some time to read, to study, to meditate and to pray. Cultivate your inner garden and seek light in the darkness.”
We also livestreamed our Shabbat morning service, with Rebecca Singerman-Knight on the piano. This included the full Torah service. You can watch the service here.
Both services were attended, virtually, by over 40 people who were also able to participate by commenting on the livestream. This was particularly poignant as we read the Yahrzeits prior to the Kaddish, as congregants were able to share the names of those they would like remembered.
Meanwhile our Beiteinu school continued online, using Zoom technology:
Speaking after the services congregant Christine Locher said ” Physical distancing – yes, but the social, spiritual, personal and educational is buzzing as always”.