There was even a Reform and Orthodox viewpoint on alternative Passover foods and Seder plates!
My journey to shul — now virtual via Zoom — is filled with anticipation and relaxation rather than worry and concern. During the Zoom services and sessions, I feel I am in a safe space and closer to a spiritual presence than ever before. I can pray and sing without negative distractions or comments.
I do not have to worry about the prepping of the kiddush food — if the challah is out, or if there is enough wine and wine glasses — or if a Yahrzeit has been forgotten.
The rabbis and speakers make me feel at ease and excite me with their teachings; the cantors get my heart racing with their incredible voices. My mouth hurts from smiling because I’m happy to see these strangers I now feel a warm connection to.
Everyone is positive, welcoming, upbeat and caring. It makes you forget about the absence of physical interaction and the scary outside world. It’s a safe space for joy, as well as for grieving.
Afterwards, I rush downstairs to tell my non-Jewish housemates about the inspirational service/talk/lesson. They have even joined in, fascinated by the idea of RJ:TV and by the live online services streamed from shuls around the country. It has felt more special to be able to bring my non-Jewish friends into this wonderful virtual world.
The experience has inspired me and given me clarity on who I am as a Jew. My faith is what I choose it to be. It is online, in books, in podcasts and in siddurs.
My faith is in my heart and not in bricks and mortar. My faith is Reform Judaism and I could not be happier. At the age of 32, I finally feel like a Reform Jew. It’s all done wonders for my mental health, as well as for my religious experience.
And given what I know now, I might not go back to being a full-time shul-goer when all this over. I would even do some festivals online.
Aimi Sugarman is vice-chair of Hull Reform Synagogue
