Jews in the D
18 | MAY 21 • 2020
W
hile synagogues and temples
are physically closed during
the COVID-19 pandemic,
many are reaching out to their members
in new ways. Live-streamed Shabbat
services, classes and minyanim are
common, and some congregations are
offering children’
s lullabies, a virtual
women’
s retreat, cooking classes and
Trivial Pursuit through Zoom or social
media. Congregation Beth Shalom in
Oak Park offers a shivah minyan by
Zoom. Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
Southfield has a Café Zedek that enables
members to share their talents for music
and storytelling.
Congregation Beth Ahm in West
Bloomfield offers an “Online Hang-
Out” with Rabbi Steven Rubenstein and
recently presented an online
Lag b’
Omer concert. Temple
Israel in West Bloomfield has
offered a “Jewish Yoga and
Kabbalah” program taught
by Yogi Johnny Kest and
Rabbi Paul Yedweb.
Daniel Mesa, Bloomfield Township-
based Temple Beth El’
s executive
director, says that their rabbis are
dropping in virtually at pre-
arranged times to connect
with some families before
live-streamed Shabbat
services.
“It’
s opened up a new
line of conversation with
members. We have home
videos of board, staff and members on
our Facebook page. We’
ve overhauled
our website,” he says.
Temple Beth El’
s “Pump up Shabbat”
program includes more than 1,000
viewers, according to Mesa, while classes
attract anywhere from 50 to 150 people.
Some programs enable participants to
type in questions on Facebook for “live”
responses.
Rabbi Josh Bennett of Temple Israel
says that the temple has a “robust and
exciting online presence” and that the
“
average reach of their programs has
been remarkable” and includes all ages.
“We are finding modern, innovative
ways to connect with people.”
Congregations are focused on the
community’
s emotional and practical
needs as well. Temple Israel has a
program called “Coping with Loss
during COVID.” Congregation Beth
Shalom is planning to raise funds to help
those who have lost jobs or experienced
the death of a family member during
this time. Bais Chabad Torah Center in
West Bloomfield has an emergency task
force to help members who need help.
Shaarey Zedek has provided lunch for
the Southfield Police Department in
conjunction with Zoup!, a restaurant
owned by one of its members.
In addition, clergy and board
members of Temple Beth El,
Congregation Beth Shalom,
Congregation Shaarey Zedek and
Temple Israel, among others, are calling
individual members to connect with
them during this shelter-at-home
period. These phone calls are a way to
check on members’
welfare, to maintain
congregational connections despite
lack of in-person contact and to offer
assistance if needed.
During such routine “health and
welfare” calls by Temple Beth El’
s board,
members were asked if they needed
anything, and several responded that
they were having trouble finding such
SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
VIA TEMPLE ISRAEL FACEBOOK
The ‘Virtual Synagogue’
Congregations offer more than prayer and
education during COVID-19 pandemic.
Dan Mesa
Rabbi Josh
Bennett