‘The Jewish people may be called the People of the Book, but Jewish life revolves around being ‘people of the people’’
The author. Image by Courtesy of the author
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When my grandfather passed away from COVID-19 on April 24, I thought we might only have ten men, for an Orthodox Jewish prayer quorum, at his graveside funeral. I was wrong. Only his wife, his three sons and the synagogue’s rabbi could see him off.
The author. Image by Courtesy of the Author
After 22 years of memories with him, I had to say goodbye while watching the eulogies on my phone over Zoom while our van idled outside of the cemetery gates. We were only allowed to come inside for the very end of the service, after the eulogies and burial had concluded.
But what brought me some comfort during that Zoom call was seeing how many others were on the call. Around 300 people, including community members, family, and friends tuned in, from around the world. So many people could be there virtually to honor him, including many who would not normally be able to attend. Over the course of the next week, they’d also visit over Zoom to comfort my family during the Shiva.
This American Jewish community has shifted rapidly to virtual events and gatherings during the COVID-19 crisis. In many ways, American Jewish life was built around gatherings before the pandemic. The Jewish people may be called the People of the Book, but much of Jewish life seems to revolve around being ‘people of the people’ who meet up, celebrate, mourn and cheer together.
Then the COVID-19 crisis hit. Synagogues transformed from spiritual and social spaces to potential infection points. Lifecycle events planned for months, or even years, were canceled or limited to only a few people. Rabbinic councils decreed that families should stay put for Passover instead traveling to friends or family.
This all struck me personally well before my grandfather’s death. I have friends postponing or cancelling their weddings, including one friend deciding whether to run a virtual event over Zoom. I used to attend prayer services daily, and now have no idea when I’ll step foot in a synagogue again.
But the shift to virtual events has also offered me new opportunities. I can “Zoom in” to classes from all sorts of Jewish groups and organizations, including ones I don’t usually participate in, and can learn more about Jewish practices different than my own. I can attend events I could not otherwise afford to travel to because now I can attend from my own bedroom. I’ve even set up my own events and meetings with friends.
I’m calling on the American Jewish community to continue to offer virtual events, and a livestream of in-person events, whenever possible—even after the pandemic ends. This will continue to make Jewish life and teachings more accessible, not only to those who normally can’t attend for reasons of distance but also those with disabilities who normally struggle to attend.
I’m envisioning daily streamed prayer services. Around-the-clock live Jewish literature and liturgy classes. Group meetings from different organizations open to all. It isn’t hard to set up a phone or laptop in the corner of a conference room, to livestream notable speakers at a gala dinner or to have a password-protected Zoom stream for your wedding.
Furthermore, running more virtual events could bridge the gap between different religious and ideological sectors of the Jewish community. Much has already been written on the divides within the American Jewish community—on religious matters, on Israel, and much more. Perhaps with easy attendance to events outside our comfort zone, we could learn more from each other in a low-stakes way that could lead to more understanding.
There are, of course, limits to what should be livestreamed. Observant Jews—myself included—refrain from using many forms of technology on the Sabbath and many holidays; synagogues should not be pressured to livestream their Sabbath and holiday services.
There are also certainly privacy concerns with running events online; events should be secured as needed to prevent “Zoom-bombing” by anti-Semites. Fortunately, platforms like Zoom have various options to increase security and defend against these attacks; this should not discourage utilizing this resource.
This is, importantly, not a call to keep everything completely virtual; once we are able to gather again, we should. What if Jewish communities decided to lessen or even stop hosting in-person events? This might save synagogues and schools some money, and reduce the time needed to set up events. But it would also reduce the impact and meaning of Jewish lifecycle events. Watching weddings or panelist debates only through a screen might be meaningful, but it almost never would leave the same impact of joining in the dancing and socializing at that wedding, or being able to approach panelists after a talk to pick their minds. Additionally, for those who do not useZoom at all on the Sabbath or holidays, if other groups shifted to Zoom-only events, it could further segregate the Jewish community.
Even with these reservations, I believe that adding a permanent virtual component will help the Jewish community and broaden its accessibility. Virtual connection brought me some comfort after a tremendous loss. It’s something we shouldn’t lose even after we all come together in person again.
Oren Oppenheim is an undergraduate at the University of Chicago.
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