Dear Members of Congregation Beth Sholom

 

            It is with great sadness that I announce that Congregation Beth Sholom will be exclusively live streaming High Holy Day services and not meeting in person. I feel horrible about this decision, and I know that many of you are equally upset. It was certainly a decision that we did not make lightly. We put together a special committee who sought help from medical professionals and experts. We are monitoring CDC guidelines and updating our guidelines to match theres. We are also watching as each day the number of Covid cases and deaths increase in Alaska.

 

It’s during such troubling times that a community becomes a place of comfort and understanding. Covid and its variants have taken away our capacity to heal in-person from the damage Covid has done to our society. So we must continue to be resilient and hope that our difficult decisions today lead to a healthy and happy community tomorrow.

 

When I am struggling with big decisions, I often seek solace in our Torah. A passage that jumped out at me states, “I, Adonai, have put before all of you: life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life – if you and your offspring would live – by loving your God, heading God’s commandments, and holding fast.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20

 

I would be devastated to discover that meeting in person during the High Holy Days led to the harm or even death of a beloved member of our community. We continue to find ourselves in this unprecedented situation by choosing life, we choose not to meet in person. While Covid has certainly felt like a curse I have witnessed many blessings since we closed our synagogue. I have seen our bonds to each other grow stronger in response to this shared experience. I have watched us embrace technology in new and incredible ways to enhance our religious experiences. I have been inspired by so many of our congregants’ resilience and fortitude, especially from our children.

 

And so we hold fast. We share our love by being a community as best we can with the technology we understand. While we have many fears, we don’t let our fear paralyze our love for each other and our love for Adonai. Together we can continue to hope for a future where choosing life means choosing to be together. Thank you.

 

Rabbi Abram Goodstein

 

All visitors who wish to worship with us are welcome. Though our Congregation is very committed to Reform Judaism, people from diverse Jewish backgrounds have found our liturgy appealing. Our facilities are beautifully located in a natural setting which enhances the worship experience. Please feel welcome to attend online.