Community
Kingston offers southern comfort at a time of crisis
'More than ever we have realised how important community is,' rabbi says
May 18, 2020 08:26
'More than ever we have realised how important community is,' rabbi says
May 18, 2020 08:26Even before the Prime Minister announced the lockdown in March, some of our most vulnerable members at Kingston Liberal had been self-isolating and we had started thinking about how our community could continue to thrive remotely.
Our first concerns were precisely those members who had to self-isolate and who were struggling to buy essential items. The community’s response was swift, efficient and heartwarming.
A phone tree was put in place to help our “Keep in Touch” team reach everyone.
Members volunteered to do the shopping for others and a technical support group was established to help those not confident with technology to participate in our livestreamed services and our varied Zoom social and educational activities. And as decisions and action were needed, our shul council began meeting weekly on Zoom.
Online services streamed via Facebook and Zoom have reached people who are not regular shul-goers and we have had more “visitors” than before.
More than ever, we have realised just how important community is. Cheder teachers have continued online and all were happy to keep going without the usual holiday break. And community members enjoy getting together virtually for coffee mornings or the post-service kiddush.
We are living in a very strange reality. On one hand, the ambulances speeding through Kingston streets remind us that people are suffering — and dying — and we look at the daily figures with anxiety. Some of our members have lost loved ones, without the usual ways to get closure. We will hold a service post-Covid to acknowledge these losses.
Others have lost their jobs and worry about their future. On the other hand, we are in our houses — and south of the river, many have gardens.
The Thames offers nice walking paths for those who can go out. It is definitely greener than North London!
Technology enables us to stay connected and to alleviate the burden of isolation.
As a community, we are already thinking about the world beyond coronavirus, using this time of lockdown to reflect on what really matters and what needs to be changed.
It is obvious that the notions of community and togetherness will emerge stronger, having had a reminder of the importance of keeping relationships alive and staying in touch with each other.
We have started to understand that the world of yesterday is no more and that tomorrow offers new opportunities. How do we stay connected? How do we collaborate with other communities? How do we keep human life at the centre of our attention?
These are but a few of the questions that we as a Liberal Jewish community — and we as a nation — will have to consider.
Rabbi Rene Pfertzel is minister of Kingston Liberal Synagogue
To get more from community, click here to sign up for our free community newsletter.