CoronaVirusBeGone! #9   5/20/2020

Yes, we ARE OK!

As challenging as these days of quarantine have been, I find comfort and frankly, a re-invigoration of creative forces I have not encountered since I embarked on the path of clergy-hood. In so many ways, this weird and strange time has enabled me to be more creative and feel a sense of “togetherness” even when apart. Here are a few of the MANY “blessings of separation” I’ve experienced in the age of COVID-19:

1. We’ve worshiped online with our local Jewish community and beyond.Although livestreamed services are not quite the same as worshipping in person, I’ve cherished the opportunity to virtually visit with many of you … And I am so thrilled to see so many of your “sheina punims” each Friday, and on Monday Morning’s Rabbi Meeka Mocha’s Ethical topics that we discuss each week (contemporary Talmud/Mishna). I have been enjoying showing up for a variety of Committee Meetings (yes…full disclosure…sometimes in my jammies…), for interfaith offerings…. I’m glad, oh so glad we have been able to come together this way!

2. We’re getting to know our neighbors… from afar.We have had delightful conversations – at a safe distance, of course – with many neighbors in our quiet Pines Lake neighborhood. I’ve been walking with Oreo, who always seems to draw so much attention and squeals of joy from everyone who sees him…but a friendly nod shows that we all understand the need to remain at least six feet apart, so we either cross the street or move aside to let someone else pass.

3. I’ve been able to reconnect with family and friends across the globe.The magic of Zoom (or as Cantor Romalis called it “Zoomish” – a Jewish Zoom) has enabled me to connect with my family and friends from Israel, and my nephew who lives in Germany. Dave and I have been connecting with our old friends from California, our non-blood relatives. In our typically global society, it can be hard to keep up with people who live in other time zones – but since days and nights have blurred the boundaries of “time”, COVID-time is somewhat more flexible than the ‘old normal’.One way to nurture ourselves in this reality – is keeping busy. Busy busy busy! I have kept myself busy by thinking and coming up with programs for our temple; our Thursdays’ Rabbi Meeka’s Mocha has been a successful form for discussions about variety of ethical topics.
And this Thursday – our first installment of 

our Thoughtful Thursdays: Exploring the Jewish Landscape of Learning program (Thanks again, Joyce Fein!). Join our TBT family every Thursday evening from 7:00-8:00 pm via Zoom to explore a variety of topics with a different speaker each week. As a group, we will enjoy learning about current events, special hobbies, artistic expressions, and so much more. Each topic will be unique, and each time we come together to study, it will be special and different!Kick Off Session: Thursday, May 21, with Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan who will discuss Rabbi Herbert Weiner’s book 9½ Mystics: How the Reform movement began accepting Kabbalah, the most influential work for those seeking a spiritual path into Judaism at a time when conventional Judaism did not emphasize non-rational approaches.

In closing, despite the thousands of miles of distance between us, we’re all feeling the impact of this pandemic. And although we may physically be alone in our individual homes at this time, we can still choose to remain connected through this collective experience and memory of being part of this extraordinary time in the history of humanity – a light that will shine brightly so long as we continue to nurture it.
Wishing everyone health, health, health! L’echayim (to life!) and Zei Gezunt (be healthy, in Yiddish) 
Please be in touch! With love,

Rabbi Meeka

RabbiMeekaTBT@optonline.net