Yes, the coronavirus precautions have separated us all from our shuls. But they have not loosened our attachment to the places we consider our spiritual homes.
In the interest of jogging people’s memories, and sampling some of the spectrum of warm feelings about the shul that unites us but is now physically absent from our lives, I decided to conduct a small, informal study. I wrote to 10 members of my shul, Congregation Ahavas Achim in Highland Park, of different ages and family sizes and asked: “What moment(s) in our shul do you, and your family, miss most?”
Here are the answers I received.
Rachael Levin: “I miss seeing my friends every week. I miss catching up and davening side by side. I miss Rabbi M’s drasha, given in-person.”
Rob Haarburger: “What I miss most about being in my Shul, Congregation Ahavas Achim, is the continued sense of achdus that so naturally flows in our community. To join together on Shabbos with people of different ages, backgrounds, etc. for the purpose of connecting with Hashem is so special. I look forward to be able to do that again soon.”
Paula Ostroff: “That’s easy. I miss the kiddush schmooze. Our daughter Tobie misses the walk to shul with me, and her friends. Our son Max misses hanging out with his friends. Our son Joey misses teen minyan. And my husband Craig misses the community. The Ostroffs are very social people. Although, truth be told I really enjoy the Rabbi’s D’var Torah. You know, when I arrive on time to hear it:-)”
Milt Erdfarb: “I miss davening with a Minyan, which usually includes schmoozing before or after services and singing in unison with others, like Locha Dodi on Friday night.”
Tova Renna: “Here are the Renna family responses: (Mom) Tova—I miss walking in to shul on Shabbos morning to a full shul and hearing tefilla from so many together, and I miss catching up with friends after shul. (Dad) Jeremy—coming in to shul on Friday evening and seeing all the people I have not seen through the week. Miriam (age 16)—misses the idea of davening with a minyan. Netanel (age 12)—the Kiddush. Aliza (age 6)—My friends, kiddush, davening in groups and going around the shul and getting candy.”
Laura Weiss: “Eli and I of course miss AA. We miss seeing our friends and peers and celebrating Shabbat as a community. We specifically miss seeing our older daughter’s excitement at hearing and singing Adon Olam. We also miss her enthusiasm for kissing the Sifre Torah before we head home. We especially look forward to introducing our newborn daughter to shul and the Jewish community, when it is safe to do so.”
Peri Horowitz: “I miss singing with the congregation the different prayers we say when we return the Torah to the Aron Kodesh.”
Rachel David: (Mom) Rachel—I can tell you that I miss hearing Torah reading and the Rabbi’s speech. (Dad) Joe misses singing Eitz Chayim Hi when the shul is putting back the Sefer Torah—a part of the davening that he thinks our shul does very well. And the Rabbi’s Speech. Naomi & Judah (the two older kids) both said they miss davening in groups in shul and seeing all their friends.”
These comments—four from families, four from individuals—offer a fleeting taste of the different moments that, even with weeks of separation, still resonate deeply in the hearts of shul members. We all pray to experience them anew, together again, God willing soon.
P.S. In case you’re wondering … for me, the moment I miss the most is singing Keil Adon on Shabbos morning with the Hashkama minyan. I hear our voices join together and a sense of connectedness washes over me. It’s often a high point of my week.
