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