A Jewish Values Matrix for Dealing With a Time of Illness and Stress

Dear Friends.

Over the past several days we have been spending a great deal of time and energy formulating a plan to deal with the myriad of possible situations and decisions that will inevitably arise as we confront the advent of Covid-19 in our community. As we struggle to consider all our options in this ever changing environment, we are striving to make decisions utilizing a values-based matrix around which we can act in a consistent manner that is in line with Jewish tradition and modern sensibility. We want to provide you with a matrix of these values to help all of us understand why and how we have come to the difficult decisions that face us.

1.  Pikuach Nefesh – saving a life.  This is the most important Jewish value. Our sacred texts teach that we can forgo almost any commandment or prohibition in order to preserve life.  In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, our top priority must be the health and safety of all. If we are forced to close our building, cancel or radically reshape a program, service or class, we are doing so in order to ensure that everyone’s safety is paramount.
2. Al Tifrosh Min Ha Tzibbur – “do not separate oneself from the community.”(Mishnah, Avot 2:5) “Social Distancing”, cancelling programs, services, educational and social events can easily have the effect of isolating many of us from one another. As such, we are looking for as many ways as possible to ensure that that we stay in touch. Utilizing internet streaming, email, our website and Facebook are just a few of the ways that we are striving to remain connected to our community. We also are dealing with the fact that some of this technology is imperfect. We have a learning curve ahead of us, but we are determined to do everything we can to enable meaningful connections.
3. Lo Ta’aShok Sachir – “Treat workers Fairly” (Deuteronomy 24:14) Cancelling programs or classes has a ripple effect – not only on program participants, but also on those who are contracted to conduct them. Temple Emanuel is a large institution. We employ many teachers, custodians, caterers, musicians, and clerical staff who depend on us for their livelihood. We are committed to doing all that we can to ensure that programmatic interruptions will have minimal impacts on our employees’ abilities to care for themselves and their loved ones. In addition, if we cancel an event, we need to be conscious of the impact that the cancellation will have on those who are counting on getting paid for their services. If at all possible, think of ways to help our partners in the community.
4.  Simcha – “Rejoicing.” Even in times of difficulty, it is important that we look for ways to celebrate Jewish life. This can be difficult when life-cycle events are cancelled or postponed due to health concerns. We are determined to do all that we can – within the constraints of the reality of our situation – to help everyone achieve this.
5. Nechama – ”comforting the afflicted.” Pastoral care is central to our mission at Temple Emanuel. When personal contact is limited, this can be difficult. We will continue to strive to be present for all who are in need in any way that we can.
6. Tzimtzum – “narrowing down/contraction.”  In Jewish mystical tradition, prior to creation, God went through a process of contraction and self-examination in order to make room for the world. Since God was every-“where” and every-“thing”, there was no space for anything else. Hence the need to pull away. Similarly, there are times when we need to contract our emotional, physical and spiritual needs in order to make room for others.  In particular, we need to be sensitive to those members of our community who may be most affected by the virus – the most vulnerable among us. We have seen multiple responses to this situation in recent days – some of these bring out the worst and some bring out the best in us. Activities like hoarding supplies, looking for others to blame, scapegoating and spreading unfounded rumors are not helpful and, indeed destructive. On the other hand, we have also seen people coming together, looking for ways to help and self-sacrifice in order to ensure that the most affected are protected are perfect examples of how we can make room for others in our midst.
7. Dugma Ishit - “role modeling”. The lay and professional leadership of our community must lead by example. As such, we will make every effort to demonstrate healthy behavior and choices. We will not gather in groups or at the synagogue when asked by our elected officials to refrain from doing so. We will lead services, congregational events and functions from separate locations through use of technology until it is been determined that it is safe to come together again. No member of the lay or professional leadership will ever put pressure of any kind on anyone else to engage in actions that could possibly place them in harm’s way. 

This is a difficult time for all of us.  The uncertainty and unease that we are feeling are normal for a situation that is anything BUT normal.  We are in uncharted territory. May we work together as a Kehillah Kedosha – a sacred community – to emerge strengthened and resolute. May our values serve as anchors in a sea of uncertainty.

And……Wash your hands!

Four Weeks of Elul: Week 2 - Our Communal Selves

My Dear Friends,

As I write this second installment of the Four Weeks of Elul, my heart is heavy.  Tomorrow morning, I have the difficult task of officiating at the funeral of a young man who died suddenly and tragically - leaving behind a wife, two young children, a stricken family and many, many friends.  He was a pillar of our community.  He gave his time, expertise and resources to support  the Denver Jewish and secular communities.  At the service tomorrow, our sanctuary will be filled to overflowing with grieving family, friends and colleagues.

When we confront tragedy: when our ordered and compartmentalized world is suddenly turned upside down, we look to one another to find comfort and caring.  As members of a Kehilla Kedosha – a sacred community – we share a common bond and connection.  The presence of caring souls helps to ease the burden of grief, pain and fear.

But it is not only in times of difficulty that we need community.  We also come together to celebrate the joys of life, to experience the sacred, to learn from one another and chart a course for our future.  Community strengthens and inspires us to share in the wonder of God’s creation.

We live in a society that threatens the very foundation of community.  Our digital technology encourages us to work alone.  This can be a good thing, but there is a fine line between alone-ness and loneliness.  One of the curses of the information age is the fact that we no longer are forced to be in proximity with one another.  We can be educated, entertained and earn a living all in the privacy of our homes.

Jewish life is based on a core value of creating and celebrating community.  We need a minyan in order to pray.  We pray in the plural.  We say: “OUR God and the God of all ages,” not “MY God. I have always found that the rhythm of weekly Shabbat observance is a vital part of my overall spiritual health. The act of regularly coming together for worship and study not only strengthens our souls, it also prepares us for those moments when we need to be together – when we experience loss or tragedy; when we want to share our joy. 

During this second week of Elul, I want us to focus on the importance of our communal selves.  If you have not taken the opportunity to participate actively in Temple Emanuel this past year, I would ask that, during this month of Elul when we perform the Mitzvah of Cheshbon HaNefesh (soul searching), you might think of ways to become involved.  You will be glad that you did.

The following questions will help you to focus your Elul preparations on how you can make a difference for good in your congregation, community and, indeed, the world itself. Again, this is by no means a complete list. There are many other areas that can be explored. Hopefully, this will provide you with a starting place for a much longer process.

1. Have I been generous enough in my support - financially or otherwise - of the institutions and charities that I find important?
2. Do I feel confident that I will be able to help those who need me in times of trouble?
3. Have I worked to strengthen my congregation? Have I given of my skills and expertise when asked?
4. How often have I been content to complain when I was affected by a problem – but after complaining, not done anything to help solve the problem?
5. Have I allowed petty squabbles and disagreements to distract me from the importance of staying involved in my community?
6. When I am at synagogue, have I done all that I can to make others feel welcomed in the same way that I want to feel welcome?
7. Have I allowed myself to enjoy Shabbat in the context of my community?

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions for additional questions and formats that we can use.  This is by no means a complete list of questions.  It is just a beginning.   If answering any of them causes you to want to speak to one of the Temple clergy, Rabbi Immerman, Cantor Heit, Cantor Sacks and I would welcome the opportunity. Note that all of these materials will be available in several formats: electronically - via email, on our Temple website and Facebook page, in my blog: www.Rabbijoeblack.blogspot.com; and in hard copy at the Temple Office. If you know of anyone else who might want to receive these mailings – whether or not they are members of the congregation, please contact Susie Sigman at Sigman@emanueldenver.org .

May this time of Cheshbon Hanefesh be fruitful for all of us as we prepare to enter into the holiest days of the year.

L’Shalom,

 

Rabbi Joseph R. Black