The Voice | June-July 2020

But the resounding response illustrates the vibrancy of Beth El’s community. “We tried to keep [the guest list] under control, but word got out and so many Beth El friends showed-up,” Mrs. Weiner said. “When I say friends they range from 18-years-old and up, because anyone my mother’s ever met at Beth El is her friend, and she’s met a lot of people there over the years!” Led by firetrucks blaring their sirens and blasting their horns, the procession of cars slowly passed by Mrs. Goldberg, who sat shaded on her front lawn surrounded by her immediate family, and flanked by lawn signs touting the centenarian’s many accomplishments including “Best Gefilte Fish” and “Biggest Orioles Fan.” “Sticking together is so important,” said Mrs. Goldberg, speaking from a century’s worth of perspective that includes the Great Depression and a World War. “We all feel the same way. We all want to get back together in person at the shul . But until then, we have to seek out joy in each other.” As Mrs. Goldberg so beautifully said, continuing to celebrate life’s happy moments is one way in which the Beth El community persevered, something Rabbi Saroken experienced first-hand. “The most beautiful experience I’ve had during quarantine is witnessing the joy of human life being created,” Rabbi Saroken said. “Marking the arrival of new life has been so extraordinary in this moment in time, as there’s something miraculously hopeful about doing it amidst this pandemic.” The Sheins found hope through simcha by celebrating their son Max’s Bar Mitzvah during quarantine. When the Sheins first began tracking COVID-19 and its potential impact on Max’s big-day, which was scheduled for April 18th, there were still several unknowns. Early on, the Beth El family separated their decisions regarding the service and the celebration.

“Due to all of the uncertainty, we decided to postpone his celebration before Governor Hogan’s Executive Order to close public spaces,” said Max’s father, Josh Shein. “At that point, we knew there was no way we could put our friends and family in harm’s way.” Although they decided to postpone the party, the Sheins felt strongly about celebrating Max’s Bar Mitzvah on its original date. “Max’s Torah portion, Shemini , was the same one that I read at my Bat Mitzvah 33 years ago, so there was a special significance to his date,” said Keira Shein, mother of the Bar Mitzvah boy. “Additionally, I lost my father in late November and therefore I felt a stronger need for my family to have something to celebrate.” “We’ve reassured B’nai Mitzvah families that we would do everything possible to celebrate their lifecycle milestone, on the specific date they wanted it to happen,” said Cantor King. “We focused less on the virtual format, and more on the idea that these moments must happen.” Still, the decision to host a virtual Bar Mitzvah was not an easy one for the Sheins, not least of all because of Max’s dedication. “I studied really hard to learn everything and I was disappointed that I wouldn’t have an in-person Bar Mitzvah , but I was grateful to have an opportunity to do it virtually,” Max admitted. The only thing left for the Bar Mitzvah boy to do during the shutdown was to work on his D’var Torah , one that had an eerie connection to the pandemic. “I noticed a part of my Torah portion explained that a person should never eat a bat and something horrible would happen if you did,” he said. It seems the sages really do know what they’re talking about after all. “We experienced so many emotions: sadness that he wouldn’t experience a traditional Bar Mitzvah , as well as the realization that his grandmothers’ would not be able to be there in person for this simcha ,” Mr. Shein said. “Our main concern was that it would still be real and count as a Bar Mitzvah . We weren’t sure how Beth El would handle having a minyan as well as not having a Torah but the clergy worked so closely with us, reassuring our family every step of the way.” “The authenticity issue takes care of itself, as people find their virtual life cycle experiences deeply moving,” Rabbi Schwartz added.

Lucille Goldberg’s 100 th birthday parade

14 The Voice of Beth El Congregation