'In this season of chaos, give us resiliency': Jewish high holidays help cope with COVID
ROCKVILLE, Md. (ABC7) — For the first time, synagogues throughout the region like Kol Shalom in Rockville embraced the high holidays virtually due to the pandemic. First, they celebrated Rosh Hashanah: the Jewish New Year.
Kol Shalom Rabbi Gil Steinlauf told his congregation via Zoom, “A year in which we strengthened our shared commitment to tikkun olam the betterment of this world. And let us all say, Amen.”
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A week and a half later, on Monday, Jewish communities marked the conclusion of the high holidays with Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. In the wake of the pandemic, Jewish leaders anticipate this year's high holy days will take on added meaning.
“I actually think the context of today with COVID is going to change the way that people connect with and the meaning they get out of Yom Kippur," said Gil Preuss, CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
Yom Kippur is traditionally a very somber time in Jewish life. GatherDC, during its virtual service, created a communal experience focusing on lightening the weight of today while rising to the promise of tomorrow.
“Yom Kippur is not an end, but a beginning. We have a whole year starting today to live the lives we want to lead, to make every day count," said Rabbi Ilana Zietman.
At Washington Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Aaron Miller talked of resilience amid so much isolation and illness.
Rabbi Miller said, “God, in this season of chaos and uncertainty, give us resiliency to walk through our trials with enough vision to see the light beyond.”
Soon after the shofar was sounded, marking the conclusion of Yom Kippur and its associated day of fasting, Rabbi Bruce Lustig said, “G'mar Chatima Tova to all and we wish you a good and blessed year.”
