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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