20 | AUGUST 17 • 2023 

OUR COMMUNITY

M

ichigan’s synagogues 
and temples began to 
empty out and then 
close on March 12, 2020, due to 
the COVID-19 pandemic. The 
70-member Michigan Board of 
Rabbis took this action on the 
advice of physicians to reduce 
potential virus transmission 
and illness. The Council of 
Orthodox Rabbis of Greater 
Detroit also issued guidelines for 
their congregations.
It was a time of anxiety, along 
with determination to maintain 
synagogue life. Rabbis from 
across the state, regardless of the 
size or Jewish affiliation of their 
congregations, faced the same 
challenges — how to maintain 
Jewish practices and connect 
members while being physically 
apart.
Judaism is founded on 
a tradition of communal 
observance, with a 10-person 
minyan required for some 
prayers, and group celebrations 
such as Passover seders. The 
pandemic inspired local rabbis 
to quickly introduce new 
methods of communication, 
prayer and education. Some 
of these innovations continue 
today.
The transformation of 
synagogue life was “utterly 
traumatizing and an exciting 
opportunity. It was fascinating 
to figure out how to do this,
” 
says Rabbi Aaron 
Bergman of Adat 
Shalom Synagogue, 
a Conservative 
congregation in 
Farmington Hills.
Rabbis and 
cantors, other staff 
members and lay 

leaders worked together to 
communicate, facilitate new 
ways of participating in religious 
services and help members 
who were especially vulnerable 
during this time of isolation.
“It was one of the most 
rewarding periods of time, and 
one of the most exhausting 
periods of time. There were 
constant worries about people’s 
physical and mental wellbeing, 
and concerns about doing 
enough to hold the community 
together,
” says Rabbi Simone 
Schicker of 
Temple B’nai 
Israel, a Reform 
congregation in 
Kalamazoo.
Being home 
with their 
families could be 
stressful for some, 
depending on the dynamics, 
but some families enjoyed the 
time together, observed Rabbi 

Yechiel Morris of 
Young Israel of 
Southfield (YIS), a 
Modern Orthodox 
congregation in 
Southfield. “People 
are very resilient. 
Some people could 
cope, but others 
thrived,
” he says.

TECHNOLOGY EXPANDS 
Congregations stepped up their 
use of technology, including 
WhatsApp, Facebook, group 
emails, Zoom and live-
streaming religious services. 
 Although Orthodox 
synagogues do not permit 
computer use on the Sabbath 
or holidays, some used digital 
technology at other times.
At YIS, the cantor led 
congregants in songs online 
before Rosh Hashanah and on 
Fridays before Shabbat. Rabbi 
Morris used WhatsApp to 

post information and as a tool 
for members to share things 
that were happening in the 
community.
Some larger congregations 
were experienced in the use 
of technology prior to the 
pandemic, including live-
streaming Shabbos services, 
while it was a new endeavor for 
others. 
The Chabad Lubavitcher 
organization, which has multiple 
Chabad centers in Metro 
Detroit, has had robust internet 
and video resources for 30 to 
40 years, according to Rabbi 
Shneur Silberberg, outreach 
director of Bais Chabad Torah 
Center in West Bloomfield. Bais 
Chabad offers multiple online 
classes daily, attracting a wide 
range of students from all over 
the country.
While technology expanded 
opportunities it also presented 
some challenges. “I never 

What synagogues and temples learned from the COVID experience.
Synagogues Post-Pandemic

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rabbi 
Aaron 
Bergman 

Rabbi 
Yechiel 
Morris 

Rabbi 
Simone 
Schicker 

CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK

Shaarey Zedek Rabbis 
Aaron Starr and Yoni 
Dahlen, and Lindsay Mall 
made music at an 
outdoor Tot Shabbat.

