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Live Streaming
The High Holidays

Can’t go to shul? Bring the shul to you.

Suzanne Chessler | Contributing Writer

D

uring last year’s High Holidays,
20 and 30 people from Canada. On Yom
Raymond Rosenfeld was visiting
Kippur last year, we had 280 viewers.”
family in England and attending
High Holiday webcasting draws many
services there, but he also wanted to con-
kinds of viewers, those who are ill or caring
nect with his home temple, Temple Beth El
for others, workers on out-of-town assign-
in Bloomfield Township, where he’s been a
ments, vacation travelers, people who have
member for 30 years and served as presi-
moved away but want holiday time with
dent.
family and those reluctant to go to services
Beth El webcasting gave him
on their own when relatives and
that opportunity. He pulled out his
friends are unable to join them.
iPad, watched formal readings and
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
saw members he knows well.
has been webcasting for about six
“I thought the webcast was
years.
incredibly well done,” he says. “The
“Other organizations were pro-
videography and the sound were
viding services in this way, and we
excellent. It’s good to know that
decided it would be a good idea
people who can’t get to services
for us,” says Shira Shapiro, Shaarey
can watch them as they happen or Raymond
Zedek executive director. “We had
Rosenfeld
at their own leisure.”
been offering a phone listen-in
Temple Beth El has been
program before the webcasting.”
webcasting services for more than a year
Between 50 and 75 people tune in for the
and, along with webcasters Congregation
Shaarey Zedek fall services with equipment
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield and Temple
operated by the synagogue maintenance
Israel in West Bloomfield, has had positive
team.
responses to entering the digital age. Their
Janice Stoneman, Shaarey Zedek vice
programming provides access to both reli-
president, used a laptop to bring services to
gious worship and congregational connec-
her mother, Hilda Green, during a brief ill-
tions for those facing obstacles that prevent ness, and her late father, Meyer Green, as he
in-person attendance.
was facing more serious health issues.
“We wanted to reach congregants and
“My parents always had been regular
friends,” says Kim Raznik, Temple Beth El
shul-goers,” Stoneman says. “Being able to
executive director. “We have cameras per-
bring the shul to them was so remarkable
manently mounted and an IT specialist to
and comforting. They could tune in and
operate the equipment.
tune out according to the way they were
“No matter where people are, Temple
feeling, and that connectivity was important
Beth El is available to provide a meaningful to them.”
spiritual experience so they can feel part of
Linda Brodsky, a Temple Israel teacher
our community. I’ve listened to services and who does not consider herself a tech person,
especially noticed how beautifully the can-
has found webcasts very easy to use as a way
tor’s voice comes through.”
of being with family while circumstances
Matthew Hammond, who is not Jewish,
interfered with going to the sanctuary.
holds responsibility for seeing that all ser-
When her late husband was very ill, she
vices are recorded and available for watch-
stayed home with him so they could watch
ing as they happen or at a more convenient
services together. After a serious injury,
time.
Brodsky again turned to the web. Her
“It’s an honor to have this technology in
daughter Ronda also relies on religious web-
my hands, and I’ve learned so much about
casts because of a leg problem that hinders
Judaism,” he says. “I think I know all the
her ability to be in crowds.
holiday songs.
“I’ve gone to services all my life and didn’t
“We can tell that people all over the
want to miss them,” Linda Brodsky says.
country are tuning in, and we have between “The webcasting has been important to my

60 September 29 • 2016

Last year’s High Holiday livestream from Temple Israel

details

To watch or listen to services, key in or
dial in:
• Temple Beth El: Go to TBEonline.org
and click on the video streaming link
or dial (866) 871-8894 and enter code
882709#.
• Congregation Shaarey Zedek: Go to
shaareyzedek.org and click on “Services”
or dial (800) 378-6135 and enter code
27354986#.
• Temple Israel: Go to temple-israel.org
and click on the link.

Janice Stoneman and her mom,
Hilda Green

family.”
Alan Harris, Temple Israel chief operating
officer, oversees the work done to provide
webcasts, available for about five years.
“For whatever reason, not everyone can
make it to the sanctuary; and we want them
all to be part of services,” Harris says. “I have
a sister, Marsha Harris, who lives in New
York. She watches on the web so she can feel
she is with family on the holidays.”

Temple Israel makes streaming available
to people in hospitals, nursing homes and
assisted living centers. Last fall, the website
was opened 29,197 times. Of those, 1,559
connections continued through an entire
service stream.
“Two staff members take care of the live-
streaming,” Harris explains. “In the temple,
we provide headphones for the hearing
impaired.”

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