APRIL 22 • 2021 | 9

Moreover, the pandemic 
exacerbated humanity’s 
greatest challenges, such as 
confronting loss and power-
lessness; recognizing suffer-
ing and inequality; search-
ing for balance between 
individual freedoms and 
moral obligations toward 
others; and battling existen-
tial loneliness. Judaism, in 
general, and synagogue life, 
in particular, are uniquely 
capable of addressing the 
human condition and pro-
viding moral guidance in a 
complex world.
Suffering through the 
pandemic made clear that 
despite the advantages of 
modern technology, we still 
need to journey together, 
sharing in each other’s lives. 
We need to hug, to kibitz, 
to dance, to grow, to heal, 
to learn, to sing and to help 
others … together in per-
son. 
At Congregation Shaarey 
Zedek, we opened our sanc-
tuary on Shabbat mornings, 
with mask and distancing 
requirements in place, and 
we innovated a wonderful 
Shabbat morning, outdoor 
“Pray-ground” service 
for children and families. 
Lifecycle events continue in 
person. The renewed human 
connection has been, in a 

word, redemptive. 
At the same time, we con-
tinue to offer on Zoom all 
services, fully participatory, 
seven-days-a-week. Come 
fall, our religious school will 
meet in-person on Sundays 
and online Tuesday after-
noons. In this last year, our 
lives became a hybrid of 
online and in-person inter-
action, so it makes sense 
that our synagogue experi-
ences are, too. 
Confronting the pan-
demic reminds us, too, that 
quality of life is as important 
as quantity of life, and that 
what synagogues offer — 
family and friendship, sages 
and storytellers, rituals and 
routines, music and memo-
ries — imbues our days with 
significance. 
As COVID-19 transforms 
from an acute crisis to a 
chronic condition, Jewish 
leaders will differ over which 
institutional changes brought 
about in the past year 
deserve to continue. 
What we all agree upon, 
however, is that, especially 
in a post-pandemic world, 
active participation in syna-
gogue life is an essential ele-
ment in living a life of mean-
ing, purpose and joy. 

Rabbi Aaron Starr is a rabbi at 
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in 
Southfield.

our colleagues for 50 and 
51 years in the rabbinate, 
including our beloved 
Rabbi Harold Loss, who is 
celebrating 50 years this 
year. And on a more som-
ber note, we remembered 
those who had passed away 
in the two years since last 
we met.
Like every conference, we 
always say the convention is 
less about the place we gath-
er or the actual program 
and more about the people. 
This year, it was all of the 

above. Engaging from my 
home and dressed in my PJ 
bottoms, while still learning 
from colleagues and con-
necting with old friends, cer-
tainly made this convention 
one to remember.
I just wish that I could 
have had an authentic New 
Orleans beignet with my 
coffee! 

 

Rabbi Marla Hornsten is a rabbi 
at Temple Israel. She is a member 
of the CCAR and served on the 
planning committee for the CCAR 
Convention.

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