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Wonderings 12 What About Worship Services?

For thousands of years it has been important to gather in person with at least ten adult Jews for services. It is how we share our values, remind ourselves of our connection to history and each other - and catch up on each other's news. 

During the pandemic I have been trying to find ways to continue to meet those needs/goals. I am grateful that we live during a time when we could rely on technology - and that, as Reform Jews, we did not prohibit using technology on Holy Days. 

We used YouTube services - so that anyone could watch any time they needed. It also allowed us to combine many short videos of a variety of people participating. While we were safer by staying home, we got to be in our homes and see each other in their homes. Many people commented about how comforting that was.

We used Zoom. Saturday mornings we used Zoom for Torah Study and Services. YouTube does not allow people to interact "live" with each other - but on Zoom we could ask questions and see each other and share news with each other. It was actually fun to have Zoom children services. Children would sometimes attend Shabbat morning services in their pajamas at the breakfast table. We got to meet everyone else's pets. We could play games like scavenger hunts (for example, find something that you can use for Shabbat).

Each of these online formats also allowed us to participate wherever we were - at home, traveling, etc. One of the other wonderful things that happened with online services is that we gained participants - and congregants - from many states, and sometimes even other countries.

We are back to having services in-person. It is great to see each other. We also do not want to lose the friends and congregants we have come to love who do not live in Shreveport.

We have been in-person for about half a year. We barely get a minyan in-person on Friday nights, if at all, and at most we have had 4 people on Saturday in-person (including me). 

I have been thinking about and trying ways to get more participation, but so far, the best participation is still online. This means that I will continue to try to offer online options, but I am still thinking about ways to have fulfilling services in-person. I realize that for some people, concern about your health keeps you participating from a distance, or not participating at - let me know that too. I want to remind you that we have been offering online services since 2014 when we renovated the sanctuary. 

Given the fact that we have in some ways "rebooted" how we feel about attending services, this is a good time to possibly change what we have been doing in significant ways. We have chosen to change the prayerbook. This has provided new inspiration and information for those who attend. In the past some of the changes to services have been simple things like changing the time we meet, to more significant things like changing the music style (less organ and singing to you, more participatory singing). 

For two thousand years the Jewish way to worship was by the offerings - our animals, best of our harvest, money, time. When the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE we switched to words and actions. Perhaps now is a time to find new ways of worshiping and new ways to connect to each other, our brit with G-d (covenant), our history, and the values that will inspire us to be a blessing for future generations. We need to find ways to let our worship services encourage participation from all of our current "generations" - every age group.

THIS is how Reform Judaism describes what happens during a Shabbat Service. Some of it applies to us, and some of it does not. What do you like? What should we change? Many Reform congregations have become more traditional, and some have become more creative. What do we want to do at B'nai Zion?

This week I am wondering: What makes you want to attend services? What keeps you from attending. Do we need to re-evaluate worship services at our congregation. What will bring you back? How often would you attend? This is important to me/us. Please let me know.

Responses:

I want to attend services to honor G-d who has done, and continues to do, so much for me. I would like to attend both in person and also attend on line.  On-line and Zoom, we get to hear [Adam,] you and your sister sing (and that is beautiful) and you play the guitar.  [E]

As you probably know, we love our zoom services and the livestreams. Zoom is preferred, as it is interactive. It is actually much more personal than attending in person for services. Livestream seems fine for Friday night because sometimes it is also important to sit/stand and listen to you rather than injecting our own voices into the service — if that makes sense.  I love that as covid numbers decrease and more people are vaccinated including the boosters that we can meet in person, especially for high holy days. However, I will still prefer to wear a mask and socially distance. Because of [family caretaking obligations], it makes it nearly impossible for me to attend in person right now. But I love that I can still remain “involved” and have community. I have a minyan online when I need to say Kaddish. It is so very intimate and I feel I have learned more and have closer relationships since attending on our zoom sessions. I love our core group! It provides such an invaluable service to those of us who cannot come in person. I think of [all of the people from so many places who regularly attend on Zoom with us]  and what a tremendous service it is to have them attend! I can’t imagine them not being a part of our study and/or worship. They add so much. I do appreciate the Reform movement so that I CAN be “active” by using technology on Shabbat or High Holy Days, [even though I prefer to observe more traditions when I can]. The reality is that you have kept us intimately and safely involved in worship and study during a pandemic that has claimed over 5 million lives globally. You have demonstrated the beautiful value of pikuach nefesh. We continue to grow and learn under your thoughtful and wise leadership. Thank you. You are the best Rabbi to me and many others. I can’t imagine my Jewish journey without you. It will always be your voice I hear as I sing Shema or say Kaddish. I am forever grateful for that. [K]

From reading your message, It is actually comforting g to know that I’m not the only one that hasn't returned to Friday services. I felt alone in my indifference (and sometimes hostility) to returning to a ritual that comforted and fed me. Many of the discussions, actions and frankly, rumors that I’ve seen and heard surrounding the Temple over the last 18 months have angered and alienated me. I’ve seen much in-Jewish behavior and discussion. I take comfort in the idea that we are a leader among all people and called to be better and that we are G-d’s chosen people. But we sure haven’t acted like it - locally, nationally or even globally - including myself in that. I know the work of tolerance and acceptance that will allow me to return to worship with others is mine alone. If I knew what would help or speed up that process, I would ask. [H]

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784