One Year During COVID
Friends,
Marking one year of COVID fills us with a range of emotions as we grieve what we lost, express gratitude for what we have, and hope for better days ahead. COVID has transformed our lives, our sacred community, and our world. In Judaism we acknowledge that grief does not disappear immediately but that it evolves over time – we count the days, months and years since the loss of a loved one. Processing the pandemic may feel similar to mourning.
March of 2020 felt like a marathon as we reacted to different guidelines and precautions while learning how to protect ourselves and others, and the impact on our lives was evident in every moment. Slowly over the past year we learned how to continue living, connect in new and different ways, and support each other. Some of us were sick ourselves and recovered, and many of us are still mourning family and friends who lost their lives over this past year. For all of those we lost we say zichronam livracha, may their memories be for a blessing.
Tomorrow night, 3/12, we will gather online for a healing service to mark one year since we last prayed together in person. In addition to our Shabbat liturgy we will sing psalms and prayers that have provided hope and strength to Jews for thousands of years. Before mourners kaddish we will remember all of those who died in the past year. If you would like to add the name of a loved one who died in this past year to the yartzeit list, please email Sarah Legassey.
Approaching one year of mourning in Judaism does not mean that we are finished grieving. Instead, we pray that our grief might no longer consume us as it did in the minutes, hours, and days since we first received the news. Our one year of COVID is the same – while there is so much hope and light in our future we still cannot return to normal. Just like losing someone transforms us for the rest of our lives, our world will not return to a “normal,” instead we will create and build a brighter future together. A future in which we learn what matters most and continue to help others; a future in which everyone can find hope.
As spring arrives in Hamden hope is arriving for us as well. On Friday, April 2nd we will begin weekly services on the CMI patio, weather permitting. Guided by our reopening task force of doctors and educators, we feel confident that it is safe to resume services outside. Initially we will require an RSVP and limit attendance to keep everyone safe, while still requiring masks and distancing. It will be amazing to be able to worship together again.
Over the next few months, I pray that we are able to begin gathering, but for now we will continue living as we are, wearing masks, remaining distanced to protect all who are not or who cannot yet receive a vaccine. We will continue to live by our most important Jewish value, pikuach nefesh, to save a life. If you are in need of any help, please know that our community and I are here for you.
I wish you light, peace, health, comfort and courage in the months ahead.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Brian Immerman