Jewish Resilience: Creating, Transforming, and Connecting in a Time of Distance

In these last weeks, our Jewish community has been unexpectedly turned upside down by new restrictions caused by the spread of COVID-19. Rabbi, cantors, educators, and all Jewish professionals have been moving quickly to figure out responses to connect despite social distancing.

As Jews, we know how to connect. We know that connection across distance matters. It’s at the core of who we are. Just as our ancestors gained strength knowing that there were other Jews around the world, so too does our connection across physical distance give us strength and nourish our resilience.

It’s been amazing to see how the new restrictions we’re suddenly living with have not been stumbling blocks; rather, our rabbis, cantors, educators, and all our leaders are rising to the challenge and showing incredible leadership. Holding online shivas that bring real comfort and connection, compassionately postponing bar and bat mitzvahs until it’s safer and finding inventive ways for students to shine nevertheless, holding Tot Shabbat and uplifting their favorite three-year-olds by singing into a screen from their couches, studying Torah together from everyone’s dining rooms tables.