The U.S. is being hit by the fourth wave of coronavirus infections. The Omicron variant is so transmissible that we are now on the “red list” of countries with travel restrictions. Locally, we are getting anxious and hunkering down again after a cautious, albeit brief emergence. I see a startling parallel now to our past pandemic responses as a shul community, but this time we are better prepared. Our wave of connections is already established. Our foundation is in place. We have the technology to help us move forward:  The confidence that comes with our award-winning programming; the success of our three 2021 fundraisers — the online auction, the virtual journal and the High Holiday Matching Gift Campaign — that all exceeded goals; and our new wide-angle view of our spiritual sanctuary as well as our secular world.

We are continuing to build content and community, and our spirit through this contemporary lens is riding high on a wave of established connections. That became eminently clear to me during our final Congregation meeting of 2021, where our efforts to mix the emotional with the intellectual and spiritual needs of our community were showcased in new initiatives: “Beyond Dispute,” our new JTS course facilitated by Rabbi Gadi; the Yom HaShoah Yellow Candle Project; and the Shehecheyanu Curtain, our communal response to the pandemic displayed in the social hall

I see a generous spirit and sense of well-being accompanied by the comfort of familiarity now emanating from our various shul gatherings What we have done and what we are doing now as a synagogue capture well our collective experience. That is our success and our legacy.

 

— Judith K.Weiner