As shuls across the country grappled with ways to creatively keep the spirit of Shavuot alive, Rabbi Andrew Markowitz of Cong. Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn, New Jersey summarized the atmosphere he was trying to embody with one word: warmth. He went on to explain that of the Shalosh Regalim, Shavuot is easily the most shul-centered, since its very essence is about learning together in that setting. Obviously, that wasn’t possible this year, so he looked for alternative ways to, as he put it, “give the people of Shomrei Torah a big hug.”
A committee was formed, which along with Rabbi and Dr. Sara Markowitz included shul president Jeff Cohen, gabbai Moshe Zharnest, office manager Simi Maline and others. As Cohen related, “The question posed was how can we create a sense of togetherness in a safe way when we can’t be together.” That set into motion an array of programs that were intended to be varied enough to capture the interests of as many congregants as possible.
The cornerstone was the dozen Zoom shiurim that began the Sunday before Shavuot and continued nearly to the start of Yom Tov. Spearheaded by shul executive vice president Oren Hiller, “The goal was to feature home-grown talent,” he explained. Presenters included people who were raised in Fair Lawn before moving on to greater responsibilities within the Jewish world, or those who are currently in leadership positions in town. The title of the series, “The Path to Sinai is Together,” with an emphasis on “together,” was meant to convey the feeling of warmth that Rabbi Markowitz sought.
Among the alumni who added meaning to the days leading up to Shavuot were Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, leader of Congregation Beth Aaron of Teaneck; Rabbi Shlomo Weissmann, the menahel of the Beis Din of America; and Rabbi Menachem Penner, a dean at Yeshiva University and the rabbinic leader of Young Israel of Holliswood, Queens. Also delivering divrei Torah were current Shomrei Torah rabbanim, including Rabbi Markowitz—who also led a Wednesday night Yizkor Zoom—Rabbi Benjamin Yudin and Rabbi Yoni Mandelstam, who leads the Beth Medresh minyan.
Complementing the special lineup of speakers was the Naftoli Aron Torah Enrichment program (NATEP) regular breakfast series for retirees, which has expanded from four mornings a week to six since March. It is led by Rabbi Yudin, Rabbi Markowitz and Rabbi Wallace Greene. That series added several stand-alone shiurim for Shavuot week.
Another program created for Erev Shavuot was dubbed “Torah Tailgate.” This one provided the opportunity for face-to-face greetings, all within strict social distancing guidelines. Members were given the opportunity to sign up for a 15-minute slot in which they drove around to the back of the shul. There, they were enthusiastically greeted by Rabbi Andrew and Dr. Sara, Rabbi Yoni and his wife, Talya, and youth directors Dovi and Sara Grosser, among others. They alternated so that there were never too many greeters present at the same time. Rabbi Yudin and Shevi made an appearance as well. As congregants rolled down their windows or popped the hoods of their trunks, they were given a Shavuot learning packet as well as a cheesecake, which also included a poem written by Shevi Yudin. Each person in the car also received a ticket for an ice cream of their choice from the Good Humor truck parked nearby.
Rabbi Yoni, who secured the ice cream truck, commented, “Shavuot is the time of year when everyone is reminded of how essential and enjoyable talmud Torah is. This year, an ice cream truck at shul served as our reminder that the Torah is as fun as anything in the world.”
Rabbi Markowitz added, “We wanted to do something different to bring people to the shul.”
The packets were another part of the overall plan. Along with reminders of laws and davening relevant to Shavuot, it included divrei Torah from shul members ranging from eighth graders to young adults. Also contained within the packet was a special journal covering the yearlong journeys, thoughts, sources, midot and divrei Torah of a dozen bat mitzvah girls from the shul. The poignant compilation was dedicated by members Rachel and Daniel Krich in memory of Rachel’s mother, Lila Levinson. The curriculum was mentored by Elisheva Rubin, daughter of members Stewart and Mindy Rubin. It was truly a team effort that helped accomplish the original mandate and made this Shavuot one to be remembered.
As the Grossers said, “Everyone had told us how amazing Shavuot is at Shomrei Torah. We weren’t able to experience the traditional Shavuot, but are in awe at how beautifully the shul managed to drive home the concept of “K’ish echad b’lev echad.”
Robert Isler is a marketing researcher and freelance writer who lives in Fair Lawn. He can be reached at [email protected].
