The Voice | June-July 2020

reflected. “There was some sadness that they would be distanced from the people with whom they typically shared the Passover experience.” From the food to the songs to the empty chairs around the Seder table, there was an obvious and unavoidable answer to the central Passover question: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The glow of digital screens stood-in for the warmth of human faces, as social media allowed the Beth El community to connect with their loved ones. “I felt as if the power of the Passover story resonated with us in particularly meaningful ways this year,” Rabbi Saroken added. Following the virtual Seder , Beth El’s clergy were at once relieved that its members were able to meaningfully embrace Passover traditions, and were inspired by the potential of remote worship. Moving ‘Beyond the Walls’ and Relearning the Value of Faith Moving to an all-virtual prayer experience was no small adaptation. After all, Beth El Congregation has hosted daily minyanim and prayer services everyday since the synagogue first opened its doors in 1948. “We are learning again the value of faith,” Rabbi Schwartz reminded. “Our clergy has been astonished by the thousands upon thousands of people logging on for our weekday, Friday night, and Shabbat morning services.” In addition to traditional minyanim , the shutdown provided an opportunity to explore alternative prayer gatherings designed to address the unprecedented spiritual needs of the pandemic. “The Soul Center created our daily ‘Soul Boosts’ to provide people with a sense of gratitude amidst all the fear, loss, and suffering,” Rabbi Saroken explained. “Soul Boosts are an accessible way for anyone and everyone to center themselves as they approach a new day, to recognize the gift of their bodies and souls, to become mindful of the big and small kindnesses that people extend to each other, and to tap into the Torah as a source of inspiration.” The groundswell in virtual engagement underscored a fundamental truth: while Beth El’s sacred community has a physical component, its ultimate meaning is far deeper. Not even a pandemic could change that.

“Part of it has to do with the subconscious search for hope and meaning during difficult times,” Rabbi Schwartz observed. “People are remembering that one place you might find those things is in your house of worship.”

Truly, there is comfort in community.

“The building at 8101 Park Heights Avenue is just that: a building,” said Cantor Melanie Blatt. “ We are the synagogue.” With that philosophy in mind, Beth El launched its Beyond the Walls initiative - a robust daily schedule of digital content, virtual gatherings, and remote prayer experiences - only a few short hours after the synagogue’s leadership announced it would close the campus indefinitely. In doing so, Beth El’s sacred community learned about themselves. Not only were members amenable to their new reality - which for many congregants meant using technology platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom for the first time in their lives - but virtual prayer experiences also provided unforeseen benefits. Many Ways to Talk with God “I’ve noticed that folks who are not regular synagogue attendees have become regular attendees of our virtual services,” observed Ritual Director Ben Kreshtool. “Jewish services are sort of like a dance: If you don’t know the choreography, you’re not going to feel good about your dancing,” Cantor King illustrated. “Many parts of the service require an insider knowledge, such as knowing when to chant or rise. People watching from home now have the freedom to make mistakes.” Freed from anxieties or judgements, Beth El members deepened their faith and explored their spirituality. Just as congregants reconnected with their spirituality, so too did Beth El’s clergy experiment with creative new avenues for its members to do so. “ Ahava Rabbah is a prayer about God loving us with abundance, which is something we needed to remind

Virtual Shabbat morning service

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June-July 2020 | Nisan-Iyyar 5780