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Shared by Marcie Belgard, Congregation Beth Sholom, Richland Washington, "One last thought – though we may not see each other for a while, we need to fight “social distancing” by remaining connected to one another. There is strength in community. Here is the poem. I hope you enjoy as much as I did."
Pandemic What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath-- the most sacred of times? Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling. Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is. Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life. Center down. And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart. Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful. (You could hardly deny it now.) Know that our lives are in one another’s hands. (Surely, that has come clear.) Do not reach out your hands. Reach out your heart. Reach out your words. Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch. Promise this world your love– for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live. –Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
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Separation and Union: Holiness in the Time of the Corona Virus Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh holy and separate emulating angels, saving lives Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh set apart and sanctified emphasizing a great yet distant power Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh sanctified and distinct separating the mundane and the sacred Kiddushin a holy union between two separating us into a single unit away from the rest of the world Kiddushin a holy bond with each other to the exclusion of every other person on the planet Kiddushin without physical proximity we can fill the universe with our love connecting across the miles Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh like distinguished different or separate but also special Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh like the light and darkness each with a beautiful purpose Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh like one who doesn't go with the crowd holding strong with opposite inclinations Shalom, Shalom, Shalom peace, hello, goodbye separation and unity by Kimberly Burnham The Torah Poetry Project Kadosh means "holy" and "separate" in Hebrew. Kiddushin is part of the marriage ceremony joining the couple together to the exclusion of all others.   World Jewish Congress statement of concern regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Dear friends, We have been monitoring the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus around the world with great concern over the last months and we are acutely aware that it is having a significant impact on many of our affiliated communities and organizations. [Read More} We realize that this is a very difficult time for community leadership, as many aspects of our lives are affected by the restrictions being put in place by local, regional or national authorities, or by uncertainty amongst community members about participating in communal events, attending synagogue services, or sending our children to schools. [Read More] For Prayers and Liturgy in Times of the Corona Virus [Click Here] from the Central Conference of American Rabbis.  |
Sefaria Source Sheets, Drashes, Devar Torah, and Adult Education programs by Rabbi Elizabeth Goldstein [Click Here]
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