Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on February 1, 2021

PIEDMONT As houses of worship struggle all over the country to serve the needs of their congregants, Piedmonts Kehilla Synagogue is no exception.

High holy days, deaths, despair and uncertainty challenge Rabbi Dev Noilys abilities to guide members through tough times and to rely on the faiths deep-rooted mission and convictions.

I heard someone say that were all in the same storm but in many different boats. Black and brown people and poor and working-class people are bearing the worst of this storm; people across race and class are suffering and dying. We need to try to take care of both ourselves and each other. We still have a long way to go, Noily said.

Kehilla (kehillasynagogue.org) is a progressive synagogue on Grand Avenue, a no-judgment zone welcoming to all, especially people of color and the LGBTQ community. It is active in social justice and has a newly formed homeless action committee engaged in advocacy work in Oakland, donating clothing, sleeping bags and other supplies to distribute.

More and more people are experiencing homelessness in our neighborhoods and cities. We are part of an interfaith Alternatives to Policing Coalition that helps us to focus on human dignity, harm reduction and access to desired social services when we meet unhoused people, Noily said.

Our economic justice committee led efforts for voter registration. Every member of Kehilla before the election made calls to increase voter turnout, said Michael Saxe-Taller, Kehillas executive director.

The synagogue for a time housed refugees that had been held in federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers before the pandemic.

They came and stayed in our building. (Things were) deeply inhuman and had gotten worse, Saxe-Taller said.

Deeply important Jewish rituals had to be changed because of the pandemic.

Illness and death present the most heart-breaking challenges, Noily said. It often feels unbearable. Funerals have been limited to 10 people outside. It has been impossible for us to hug each other. The Jewish practice is for people who have died to be physically accompanied between death and burial by people who are not primary mourners. Its also our practice to ritually wash the body before burial. The devoted people who carry out these acts of love are called the Chevra Kadisha, or holy friend group. Our Chevra has been unable to practice in person and has created virtual alternatives for these deeply important rituals.

Judaisms high holy days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur presented another big challenge in the past 10 months.

It was a monumental task that leaned heavily on our entire staff, spiritual leadership team and many volunteers and members. We distributed goodie bags that included things people might need to celebrate tea lights, honey for a sweet year, our prayer book and suggestions on how to make online services more meaningful, Noily said. Members sent in video clips and photos so we could see and hear each other. Volunteers led mishpacha or family groups that brought people together in smaller groups leading up to the high holy days. Some people set up big screens in a back yard for people to sit outside distanced to pray together.

Remarkably, Kehillas membership increased during the pandemic.

We got 65 new members (who were people) looking for connection and engagement. It was an unexpected benefit to go virtually. People with accessibility issues, seeing or hearing, transportation, we are just a web connection away. Although its clear to us going forward to return to in-person, Saxe-Taller said.

Other traditions and services such as bat and bar mitzvahs, pastoral visits, baby namings, childrens and adult education were held virtually.

Weve come to appreciate the gifts of Zoom, seeing each others faces more clearly, making it possible for people living far away or those with limited mobility to fully participate, Noily said.

The director was also grateful that Kehilla is doing alright financially.

We had to lay off a staff person and not fill a position. But our congregants have given extremely generously.

Noily feels grateful to be a second-line worker.

Im energized by the front-line workers who are risking so much and giving so much, the rabbi said. I draw great strength from my spiritual traditions. I feel closer to my ancestors and their experience. Rest has also become important for me. I practice meditation, walk my dog, spend time with the trees and water and enjoy a nap when I can. I hope we keep finding space for rest and joy and connection.

Linda Davis is a longtime Piedmont correspondent. Contact her with news tips or comments at dlinda249@gmail.com.

Read the original here:

How Piedmonts Kehilla synagogue adapted to survive pandemic - East Bay Times

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