Thank you to Rabbi David Glickman of Congregation Beth Shalom of Overland Park, Kansas.
I am using the Covid-19 experience as a challenge to continue to say kaddish for Irma G, Z"L, by visiting different synagogues around the country who are experimenting with how to conduct services remotely. From what I have observed there are a few models. One has been that a member of the clergy broadcasts the daily minyan to the congregation.
This morning's experience was my first experience using Zoom as a forum.
As a woman who usually goes to an orthodox synagogue, it was very special to visit Beth Shalom which is a conservative synagogue. I arrived in "the room" a few minutes early and one man sat there alone, waiting for the minyan. He was friendly and welcoming and assured me that we would have a minyan. Slowly over the next few minutes, people appeared. Some were in their living rooms, offices or dining rooms. One person appeared as he stood on overlooking the Kotel in Jerusalem. By 7:15 their time and 8:15 EST we began.*
The rabbi mentioned that he is in touch with others who are discussing how to do a service on Zoom. A virtual minyan is not the same as a "real" minyan so there were prayers that we skipped altogether. Rabbi Glickman led the recitation of the Amida. In between prayers he commented that the phrase "Hoshia et Amecha," (may you deliver your nation) holds new meaning in this critical time of sickness around the globe.
During the service the rabbi wisely put everyone on mute so we could not hear the shuffling and scratching noises that are inevitable when microphones pick up the smallest noises.
Saying kaddish was interesting as there is a lag between computer....It makes me imagine the journey our words are virtually taking between computers. It's an interesting thought.
In any case, it was a noisy virtual kaddish, but I was most grateful for the opportunity.
* Addendum: I wrote earlier this morning that the rabbi appeared by the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco. Only later in the day did I learn that such a backdrop is created by Zoom. Live and learn in this new world!!! I wonder if the gentleman looking over Jerusalem was also standing by a photo!!!
Before I sign off, a little about Overland Park, Kansas.
1. Overland Park is listed as one of the United State's Happiest Cities in 2020!
Population
Approximately 195,040 residents
Second-largest city in Kansas
Second-largest city in metropolitan Kansas City
OP named a best city to raise a family
Posted on January 16, 2020
Overland Park is a top city in the nation to raise a family, according to real estate website Niche.Niche ranked Overland Park the sixth best city in the country to raise a family, thanks to its public schools, housing, entertainment, diversity, cost of living, commute times, access to outdoor activities, and more.Families will find there is a lot to do in Overland Park, including visiting Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, any of the City’s 83 parks, and more.Niche reviews neighborhoods, schools, colleges, and workplaces to determine and rank some of the best place to live, work, raise a family, and more.It uses information from the U.S. Census, FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control, and other sources.
There are lots of synagogues in Overland Park!!! I won't list them here, but suffice it to say, there are many.
Yorumlar