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Remaining a K’hilah, a Connected Community, at This Time of Concern

03/18/2020 09:03:00 AM

Mar18

Rabbi Jonathan Biatch and Cantor Jacob Niemi

From your Temple Beth El clergy
At a time of increasing social distancing, let us think about ways to bring one another closer together. At a moment of concern and awareness, let us not forget to help those around us find reassurance and hope.

These are the challenges of the coronavirus era, and as your TBE clergy, we stand ready to help maintain relationships between and among our community members even at this time. For those who are isolated or self-quarantined for any reason, please let us know when we can be a welcome presence for you—in person or by phone—for it is through relationships that we become connected to our community.

The rabbis of our Talmudic tradition understood this. A midrash relates that Rabbi Eleazar once fell ill, and Rabbi Yochanan went to visit him. Rabbi Eleazar lay in a dark room, and when Rabbi Yochanan bared his arm, light radiated from him, brightening the room as he approached Rabbi Eleazar’s sickbed. Rabbi Yochanan asked his colleague, “Are your sufferings welcome to you?” Rabbi Eleazar replied, “Neither they nor their cause are welcome to me,” at which point Rabbi Yochanan said, “Give me your hand.” Rabbi Eleazar extended his hand, and Rabbi Yochanan raised him up from his bed and returned him to his community. (Talmud B’rachot 5b)

This rabbinic story helps us understand that a human touch, the healing power of illumination, a friendly face, a reassuring voice, and other palliatives of this type can increase our strength and stamina, helping return us to physical and emotional health. We intend, therefore, to reach out to TBE members with our love and concern during these times of uncertainty.

If you feel you need our presence, whether electronic or physical, please call the Temple office and let us know. Together we—and all whom we know and love—will move from fear to faith, and from stress to solution.

Wishing you health and strength,
Rabbi Jonathan Biatch
Cantor Jacob Niemi
 
Livestreaming and Online Events
As a way of remaining connected, we will offer livestreaming of our worship and many events through Facebook Live. To view an event on livestream, go to https://www.facebook.com/templebethelmadison/ (you do not need a Facebook account). When available, livestreaming will be noted on our website calendar.
 
Many other events and meetings will be held via Zoom. The upcoming Talking at the Rabbi’s Tisch (Table) scheduled for Thursday, March 19 will be a virtual meeting, open to the entire community via Zoom link. Please RSVP at https://www.tbemadison.org/event/rabbistischzoom to receive the link. This will be an opportunity to process recent events together.
 
April 25, 2024 17 Nisan 5784