By Eric Schoen
On the first night of Passover we ask why is this night different than all other nights? As we prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah in 2020 in a Covid 19 world, we substitute night and say: Why is this Rosh Hashanah different from all other Rosh Hashanahs?
On most Rosh Hashanah’s we would go to the store and buy brisket of beef, chickens, fresh vegetables, potato pudding, a round Challah bread with raisins and plenty of dessert to feed our family, relatives and friends. On this Rosh Hashanah we buy much smaller amounts of food as travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19 prevent large gatherings.
Guests Quarantining from most parts of the country turn the holiday into a month long affair. Those of us with elderly relatives worry that spending time with them could expose us or them to the virus and it’s numerous consequences. FaceTime and phone calls take the place of actual in person visits.
Most Rosh Hashanah’s would find us dressed in our very best preparing to spend time in the synagogue praying. Some women wear traditional white. I would take my place at the synagogue door, greeting members and guests with a handshake or a kiss. I enjoy this tradition as do other congregants. But we will not be gathering en mass in the sanctuary this year.
Prayer books must be picked up in advance, in a socially distanced way. Kindle versions of the prayer books are available for those whose schedules do not allow them to visit the synagogue prior to the holidays to pick up books. To make this a sweet New Year, together with picking up our prayer books we pick up a bag containing holiday instructions and things we will need for a joyous celebration. The bags are even filled with a special treat for the family to share and enjoy.
Rules only allow 50 people to gather at one time, so we rely on this magic invention, ZOOM to bring the services into our homes. ZOOM is like the opening and closing segments of the Brady Bunch or Hollywood Squares on steroids. This allows the whole congregation and guests to ‘participate’ in services. Very impersonal, but there is no other way so many people can take part. Folks that are not computer geeks are learning very quickly how to use their computers or those lent to them by children and grandchildren to participate.
If we receive an honor or aliyah, a portion of the service where we are called on to recite a prayer or blessing, the Rabbi or Cantor unmutes our Zoom feed so we can recite it for all to hear. We won’t be standing before the ark that holds the Torah scrolls to participate in this ritual or standing before the microphone on the bima or raised platform where all activity normally takes place.
We won’t hear in person the beautiful music sung by the Cantor and Choir, so rich and part of the ‘tradition’ every year. Their glorious sounds will come through the speakers on our computers or iPads.
Schmooze Rooms allow us to communicate with those in the specific category we fit in. Categories include Religious School families, Empty Nesters, the Men and Women of the congregation, families of our littlest children and New and Prospective members. We might not be gathered together but these rooms allow us to communicate with those we know so well as well as those we simply say good morning to dropping the children off for Religious School.
New traditions are added this year. Yes, 50 congregants will gather to watch the sun rise and have a prayer service ,socially distanced outside on Rosh Hashanah morning at a location in the community. This reminds me of a beautiful service I attended on the first sunrise in the year 2000 at one of the highest points in Puerto Rico filled with dance and music with the Governor at the time and her husband, a New Yorker joining in. The shofar or rams horn will be blown outdoors, with groups of 50 people invited at a time to welcome the New Year.
Some things won’t change. We will eat apples dipped in honey with our families, and round Challah Bread will be served at our dining room tables. Chopped liver will adorn our appetizer plates, matzah ball soup filling the bowls of those gathering at our homes. All the traditional prayers will be recited, candles will be lit making the holiday table however small in number of participants that much more beautiful.
What is our obligation to do this year as we have often done in years past? Make sure that those who cannot participate, the elderly and infirm can take part in the beauty and holiness of Rosh Hashanah. Whether that means dropping off a challah or honey or sponge cake or simply calling those ‘at a distance’ and reciting traditional prayers or simply saying hello and wishing them Shana Tova or a good year! And don’t forget to share a ‘taste’ of Rosh Hashanah with a non-Jewish friend. There is nothing more beautiful than that!
We pray that all Jews around the world follow guidelines set up by our various governmental agencies so that there is no further transmission of COVID-19 during this most special time of year.
And most importantly we pray for the the scientists working to create a vaccine and for all those on the front lines protecting us. Wash your hands frequently, wear masks when required, socially distant yourselves from others and get medical treatment when needed.
We hope and pray that next year we will be able to gather as we and our forefathers have for many generations and together celebrate the New Year. Happy, healthy New Year in a world of Shalom, Peace!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM, go to WVOX.com and click the arrow to listen to the live stream or download the WVOX app from the App Store free of charge.
