Shul Introduces Two Tech Initiatives For Members And Friends

 

A ShulCloud message from shul president Susan Rosenstreich informed members that although the synagogue is closed as a measure to thwart the spread of coronavirus and keep congregants safe, efforts to maintain connection to shul rituals and activities are under way. To that end, two new initiatives debuted in March.

 

Online Shabbat

As shul president, Susan Rosenstreich’s message this month reveals, sometimes it takes a revolutionary event to bring about a revolution. The event, of course, is the global jolt of coronavirus and its devastatingly disruptive consequences on all of our lives. The ensuing revolution is the shul’s compelling response to the gloom felt by many of us, suddenly bereft of the shul community.

With everlasting thanks and gratitude to the tech-savvy in our shul, particularly Andrea Blaga, Steve Benthal, Judith Weiner, and Rabbi Gadi, and with the wizardry of a computer application called Zoom, the shul reopened on Friday, March 20, at 7:41 p.m., with 24 members and friends joined in an historic event — the first online Shabbat service at Congregation Tifereth Israel.

On the 19th, members received an email with instructions on how to participate. Andrea had simplified the procedure for Zoom first-timers and also the technologically-lame among us. Many of us rehearsed the so-called “meeting” on Thursday afternoon, in preparation for the real thing on the 20th.

On Shabbat, March 20, Rabbi Gadi, who “hosted the meeting” (the Zoom program’s language), signed in at 7 and, one by one, members “entered the meeting.” Each was acknowledged with hand waves, “hello’s” and “welcome’s” from those already assembled. It was a convivial, chatty group, until finally, Steve Benthal said, “Let’s quiet down and let the rabbi start the service.”

We listened. We sang. We recited. We enjoyed seeing and interacting with each other, virtually. After several weeks of a shuttered shul, we rejoiced in celebrating Shabbat together. It was a fun, spirited and communal event, followed similarly the following morning at 9:30.

Admittedly, a few warts and wrinkles — no prayer books, many of us relying on familiar passages and songs committed to memory, some background noise, some inconsistencies among the laptops, desktops, phones and tablets — but, as Rabbi Gadi pointed out, “The virus that would separate us, has brought us together. Welcome to the future.”

Joining Rabbi Gadi at the first online Shabbat service at our shul were Steve Benthal, Andrea Blaga, Sara Bloom, Tom Byrne and Veronica Kaliski, Alan and Rochelle Garmise, Miriam Gabriel and Adrianne Greenberg, Roberta Garris, Ann Hurwitz, Miriam Kaplan, Bill Packard, Joanna Paulsen, Deborah Pittorino, Susan and Saul Rosenstreich, Madelyn Rothman, Sally (a guest), Carol Seigel,  Michael and Cookie Slade, Irma Strimban, and Judy Weiner. The verdict: Remarkable!

Once again, on Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, and until it is safe for us to reconvene in our own sanctuary, Rabbi Gadi will host the second series of online Shabbat services at Congregation Tifereth Israel. To join, check your email for instructions, or call Andrea at the shul, 631-477-0232 or email her at ctigreenport@gmail.com/.

With health and safety of prime concern since the potential spread of the coronavirus has shuttered schools, businesses and even our shul, Zoom and similar programs are maintaining connections vital to business and individual wellbeing. In addition to Shabbat services, the shul plans to use the program to arrange board and congregation meetings, committee meetings, and other ways to keep in touch with members…such as the shul’s new Shul Schmooze column.

Shul Schmooze

Coming soon to your email inbox is the first issue of a new shul publication. Please welcome Shul Schmooze. Nu, nu, what’s that all about?

Shul Schmooze is a new online column for shul members, who are invited to contribute to the column — maybe a poem, a joke, a recipe, a photo, or just a message that you are here, saying “Hello” to everyone out there. The idea behind Shul Schmooze is to provide an antidote to the social distancing, self-quarantine, isolation and aloneness many of us may be feeling in this time of coronavirus.

Like other new technological developments initiated in March, Shul Schmooze is the brainchild of shul member Judith Weiner and our office assistant, Andrea Blaga. Email your contributions to the column by contacting Andrea at ctigreenport@gmail.com/. What’s going on with you? Let’s schmooze.