Rhetorical questions are what most people think the rabbi is sending to them; after all, he’s the rabbi; he knows ALL the answers! (How can I argue?) But in all seriousness, when I send out a question I’d appreciate an answer because in most cases it has to do with relationships between rabbi and congregation or some suggestion regarding the conduct of a worship service, in fact, anything.
Especially during this period prior to the holydays – and especially these holydays – is when I start thinking the hardest, and really need some views from the laypeople.
These were questions I posed a couple of weeks ago. Please send me your responses via email (interimbethelrabbi@gmail.com). Now I honestly know that you’re not thinking about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur all year long, but going back to years past plus the situation we face now, use those memories and feelings to respond to these questions. I don’t need a tome. I do need something that will give me a hint as to what touches your heart, where you’re hurting, what comes from your thoughts. I’m surely not grading you, let alone judging you. Your input might make the construction of this year’s HHD experiences easier for me and more meaningful for you, so…
What do YOU NEED each year to make the holydays meaningful?
What would YOU MISS the most if it just wouldn’t be possible to include everything?
What do YOU WISH might be provided this year that hasn’t been provided before?
One more point. As someone said to me, “When the rabbi asks such questions, the responses can usually be categorized as follows: ‘Whatever the rabbi wants,’ ‘I know what I like and don’t like especially when it’s over,’ ‘Don’t bother me, I don’t really care.’” I get it! I’m a human, too. But please make the effort to let me know.
There will be more questions, more information as to the direction the various services will take, how we’ll employ music, what will be virtual and what might be “in person.” We’ve got a bunch of Wednesdays to go, so please help me out on this. It’s new territory for every single rabbi, cantor, administrator, Board officer, Board member, congregant in the USA, indeed, around the world.
Just like Covid-19 itself, we’ll get through these holydays together…different but together!
(Speaking of tough times, Jonathan asks his friend Steve who owns a clothing store how business is going. “Terrible!” said Steve, “Even the people who never pay their bills stopped coming!”)