Dear TBZ community:
This past Sunday we baked Hamentashen/Oznei Haman. In our kitchen there were seasoned members and new members; there were members of all ages – young children, teenagers, adults, seniors. As we rolled dough and filled dough and folded dough into Hamen’s hat, we talked of how, two years ago, nearly to the day, we had been baking Hamentashen and had been chatting about this “Covid thing.” We had wondered what it was going to mean for our lives over the next few weeks. We did not, could not, have imagined all that would come over the next two years.
This past Sunday, our kitchen was filled with warmth, and joy, and deliciousness, not only of mouth-watering homemade Oznei Haman but of the joy of a multi-generational community returning to TBZ. I had tears, tears of gratitude and of relief, that we have arrived at this moment, to a moment that feels hopeful, that seems hopeful, and that invites us back to some kind of normal life.
Today, TBZ moves to mask-optional protocols (You can read our full Covid protocols here). For some of us this is a moment of hope and joy, and for some of us it is a moment of apprehension and concern, and for most of us, it is a combination of both.
No matter where you are in this process, or the choices you make, or the feelings you have around this new stage of this pandemic, we want to make sure that TBZ is a place where there is no judgment regarding your choice of wearing or not wearing masks. We want to make sure that TBZ welcomes each and everyone of you as you are. We want to make sure that TBZ is a safe place for everyone.
Throughout these past two years we have invested in making sure that our building is as safe as it can be to bring us back in person. Someone said to me the other day that TBZ might be one of the safest buildings around in Brookline! Why is TBZ in such a good position to welcome you back? First, last spring we installed ceiling fans in the Sanctuary, the Community Room and Meeting Room that have disinfecting UV lights and that create consistent fresh air flow. We have the capacity to open windows — and we do open them — in all areas that we gather. And, in addition to strong protocols for ventilation, we have purchased air purifiers for all rooms.
Along with upgrading our ventilation, at the very start of this pandemic, when it became clear that iPhone cameras and laptops wouldn’t cut it, we installed a camera for streaming so that folks could be connected to TBZ from home. When we realized that weeks were going to become months, we upped our game and invested in more sophisticated technologies — sound systems, mikes, even a screen in the Sanctuary so those here could see you and you could see each other — to keep you connected to your TBZ home.
I share this as a way to tell you, and to show you, and to remind you, that these steps were taken with intentionality to create safe spaces and many entryways to inclusion and access. Although masks may be optional, our intention is not.
For example, even as our Kiddush seems to be returning to “normal''; this normal is not the same normal that was two years ago. These past few months, we started holding Kiddush outside on the steps, and many of us have enjoyed sitting outside and have felt more comfortable in the outside air. We will continue to encourage those who prefer it to bring their food outside. We will offer to-go bags for those who want to take their kiddush home. All these are not mere “details” but are intentional ways to make sure that we create a non-judgmental, and safe environment.
This week is Shabbat Zachor, the shabbat before Purim where we read the verses from Deuteronomy 25:17-19, telling us to remember what Amalek did to the people of Israel in their journey after leaving Egypt. Amalek who surprised us when we were weary and famished. The Torah tells us to blout out the memory of Amalek and at the same time it tells us not to forget, to always remember.
Here is an untraditional reading, re-telling of these verses in lieu of this moment:
Remember what this Pandemic did to you, to us, to our world, to the less fortunate and to the privileged, to the families of nine hundred and sixty four thousand people in America and the families of 6.03 million people in the world.
It ambushed us, and we were unprepared.
When you feel you are in a safer place – that safer place comes at different moments for each of us – where you are no longer in danger, on one hand you must move on from it; “blot out” this pandemic. You must move to what comes next and not linger in the places of fear and pain. You must welcome joy and the new possibilities in front of you – the opening, the excitement.
But also… you must not forget. You can not move on as if this pandemic had never happened. Zachor, you must remember. Ask yourself what have you learned, what we have learned. You must not ignore the lessons of these two years. Ask yourself what you can do better, what we all can do better. Ask how your priorities have shifted and changed. Don’t go back to the “old” to the “normal” without noticing and acting on the lessons of these past years. Be intentional in your choices. Don’t forget.
It is my hope that as we move forward we do this intentionally, having an awareness of the different needs of people in our community. Let us recognize the fear, recognize that which is still unknown and bring gratitude to each stage.
As many of you know, our practice at TBZ is to include in our services kavanah, the intentionality of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.
הֲרֵינִי מְקַבֵּל(ת) עָלַי אֶת מִצְוַת הַבּוֹרֵא, וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ
I take upon myself the Mitzvah of loving my neighbor as I love myself.
This is not a theoretical mitzvah, this is a practical one. It is an invitation to first love ourselves, to be compassionate and not judge ourselves in this moment of transition. And it means to love our neighbors by being responsible for our actions and not just think of our own needs.
It also means that:
If you or your child is not feeling well, do not come to shul in-person.
If you invite someone to TBZ ask them if they are vaccinated (and boosted if eligible) and if they are not, invite them to join us virtually.
When you see someone wearing a mask, do not ask them why and if you are the one wearing masks, do not feel you have to explain yourself.
Check in, respectfully before coming physically close to someone and hugging them or giving a hand.
Invite someone to come with you to eat outside on the stairs if that is what feels right for you.
Be intentional in your choices for yourself and for your neighbors.
Together we will build a non-judgemental environment that welcomes each and everyone of us at this moment and the unknown moments to come.
May this Shabbat bring renewal and blessings to all of you and your loved ones.
May we find strength, courage, and patience, and open our hearts with generosity.
May all those who are ill find healing.
May we have a joyful and restful Shabbat!
Shabbat Shalom,
