We Get Knocked Down

Judaism, as we have known it, got a kick in the teeth in 2020 or 5780. Judaism was already on its knees so the teeth were an easy target. Covid-19 has not been kind to Jewish institutions and Jewish practices. Twentieth Century style Judaism may need a ventilator to stay alive.

The hallmark of 20th century Judaism is the prayer service. The spiritual highlight of the year has typically been High Holiday services.  Something must have been lacking, at least for me, because for most of my life I recall little about High Holiday services that seemed spiritual. Would the cantor pop a vein this year during Kol Nidre?  Has the choir gotten any better?  Would the rabbi talk about Israel?  Will I make it to the end of the fast? And yet, I knew that we could do better.  It is an important part of why I went to rabbinic school.

In 2020 the questions have changed. Will the Jews crash Zoom on Rosh Hashanah? Which services should I watch?  Why should I pay dues to a synagogue I can’t visit even if I wanted to?  What was the point of those long services anyway?

Apart from Orthodoxy, most Jews don’t have prayer skills. The model of modern “suburban” synagogue elevated professional clergy and disempowered individual prayer abilities. In the 20th Century, Jews lost familiarity with Hebrew prayer. We set the clergy to be our interlocutors. And the Rabbis and Cantors coming out of seminaries readily soaked up the power of leading prayer.

In recent decades, the “movements” attempted to right the ship.  The Reform Movement and Reconstructing Judaism have deepened their focus on repairing the world following Heschel’s example of praying with his feet.  Jewish Renewal delved into the Chasidic model of cultivating a deeper connection with God.  Open Orthodoxy and Aish Hatorah doubled down on adult education as adjunct to prayer.

In 2020, those who have an appreciation for the liturgy and prayer skills will adapt to new forums for services. Others who are less facile in their prayer may struggle as never before to find spirituality and holy connection as audience on Zoom.

In recognition of the need to adapt, many synagogues will offer shorter services.  Others will pre-record services to avoid any glitches. Will these adaptations create a meaningful prayer experience? Are you ready to pray from your living room in your pajamas? Will you be a mere spectator to online services?

Judaism is the ever-changing religion(s). Judaism has morphed many times with parallel constructs, perhaps explaining why it has survived for three millennia. We are watching change unfold again. Just this time change feels to me like being kicked down a flight of stairs. Yet, I look forward to participating in the way Judaism gets back up.

R’ Evan Krame