Image by Myriam Zilles from Pixabay By Lori Rabinovitch I am very happy and not at all worried to re-enter the sanctuary for in-person services sometime in the near future. It goes without saying, of course, that I would wear a mask and maintain an appropriate social distance from others. When I recently voiced this desire to a board member, I was told that because the philosophy of Dorshei Emet is one of egalitarianism, and because not all members of the congregation are equally able or willing (due to age, fear, pre-existing health conditions, etc.) to attend in-person services, this option cannot be offered at all. I understood from this that, until everyone can attend in-person services, no one can attend in-person services. This is not egalitarianism. This is sameness. They are different concepts. Let me give you an example: when the Olympics only welcomed able-bodied athletes, this was discriminatory to disabled athletes. Opportunities to participate were not equal. With the introduction of the para-Olympics, disabled athletes were given an equal – but different – opportunity to participate in this global event. If we can combine zoom services with in-person services, we are offering different but equal opportunities for everyone to participate. This is much more consistent with our underlying philosophy of egalitarianism than insisting that the synagogue remain closed until everyone can participate in the same manner.
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Beth Blackmore
9/23/2020 08:32:50 pm
I don't think that "egalitarianism" is exactly the reason, and I hope that Elana or someone in a leadership position will clarify. My understanding is that when the shul offered in-person services, but not enough people were interested in attending. Since the government is now limiting attendance in places of worship to 25, and that number could be reduced soon if we go into the red alert zone, I imagine that the cost of having the building open (security, heat, etc) would outweigh the benefit to the 25 or fewer members who might attend. Most of the people who used to attend every week would probably not come because we are in high-risk age groups or are immunopromised.
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Elana Cooperberg
9/28/2020 02:30:22 pm
We are in a unique situation this year as we take time to reflect on our lives this High Holiday season. It has been both challenging and rewarding to be working, volunteering, and maintaining a semi-regular life during this Covid period. As President of Dorshei-Emet, I feel responsible, along with all members of the Dorshei Board, to make decisions that are in the best interests of everyone. This can be referred to, not as egalitarianism, but as making decisions for the greater good.
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