This coming Monday night begins Rosh HaShanah, and with it, our first step into the New Year.
I want to let you know just how hard your Temple Emanu-El staff, and clergy, and lay-leadership are working to make sure that you have safe, and spiritually meaningful High Holiday options.
This time of year always has an exciting energy to it. But this year, with the additional worship services that we are offering, including the outside option at Brook Run Park, we have an added layer of logistics and uncertainty that is new territory for everyone.
That being said, I anticipate this year’s worship to be some of the most powerful, connective, and profound that any of us have ever experienced.
Due to Covid concerns, about half of our congregation has let us know that they will be with us Online, and the other half has let us know that they will be with us in person, spread out over the three in-person day-time services.
For me, as long as you are with us somehow and you can create a space where you can really engage, I am happy.
For the folks who are thinking about in-person services, allow me to share a few more details that might help you make the right decision for you. Our Sanctuary at High Holidays can hold about 1,500 people. This year, we are setting up about 700 seats. And…we don’t expect more than 300 people (or so; based on what you have told us) at any one service. Which means that, for any of the services, you should be able to sit with ample space between you and the next family unit, assuming that you are willing to be flexible with your seating. My hope is that this visual is helpful to you.
The Jewish people have had years where our Rosh HaShanah worship was easy to do, and other years where it was extremely hard. This year will be somewhere in between. Like our liturgy, and the purpose of Judaism, your level of participation (online or in-person) will really come down to a choice that you will have to make for yourself.
Temple Emanu-El is here for you. As you are here for one another.
May we each and all have a New Year full of joy and connection and a year to come of health and blessings.
L’Shanah tova & Shabbat Shalom
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