Reflection on High Holidays during Covid

There is no question the High Holidays this year were unique! Secular Synagogue is always online, so our services did not have to shift from in person to the digital space. But because we are all living in a pandemic, the idea of coming together in community was even more special and urgent-feeling than usual. It was so beautiful to see the faces of sixty-plus people who decided to join in our services. We came from Brazil, Scotland, Germany, and all over Canada and the United States. We joined in song and reflection. We committed ourselves to our values.

On Rosh Hashanah I spoke about the Power of Presence, drawing on the story of the Binding of Isaac. You can check out the commentary and the poem I wrote here:

For Yom Kippur I spoke about Belief, Behaviour, and Belonging, and I asked people to share some of their deepest-held beliefs. I was moved to tears at the beautiful and hopeful beliefs we share. Here is what they said:

We cannot be free until all of us are free.

We should save our planet. Now.

I believe small deeds matter.

Family is so important

Creativity heals

There are no absolutes

The personal is political.

We have an obligation to try to make the world better

All people are equal

We have inherent worth and dignity

Black Lives Matter

Diversity and inclusion for everyone

Love will win

I believe that it is up to us as individuals to change the world for the better and not government

Black and Indigenous lives matter

Equality and acceptance

Pro-choice

Every Voice matters

Racial equity

Count everyone because everyone counts

We all have our own truths

Secular humanism leads to inclusivity.

Change begins at the individual level, never doubt your impact

There is so much goodness in the world.

Women's rights are human rights

Kindness is essential to the survival of humanity

Equity. Reparations.

Science in the service of humanity

I truly believe in my students.

Humans are inherently good

Mni Wiconi Water is life

I believe that small acts of goodness create more goodness. I believe that the mitzva system we have in Jewish live possesses collective superpower

People often ask me how we can have a “secular synagogue,” and I think these beliefs and values articulate it better than I ever could. We are a community of believers who seek to use Judaism to improve our lives so that we can, in turn, improve the world. How powerful.

I hope you had a powerful High Holiday period! Wishing everyone a meaningful 5781!

I decided to embrace the fact that, for the first time ever, I had nowhere I had to physically be, and I took myself to a beautiful inn beside some incredible nature to foster my own sense of spiritual nourishment. Don’t worry - I got dressed for the Secular Synagogue services!