Worship in the age of COVID. The coronavirus and the lockdown
that followed have created considerable challenges for how religious
communities conduct their worship. Here is a brief report on
how CJS honorary research fellow Rabbi Dr Reuven Silverman (Manchester Reform Synagogue) has coped with the challenges for religious leadership in the age of Covid-19: When lockdown struck we began broadcasting our services on our community Facebook Page followed by Zoom and Facebook. Some rabbinical authorities in Israel permitted the use of this technology despite strictures against electricity on Sabbath and festivals, provided the computers were turned on beforehand and left on all day. As Progressive Jews we welcomed this means of communication for overcoming our social and spiritual isolation. Passover Seder was observed in homes around the world with families in lockdown yet connecting with many more than they would usually have at their table. I, together with many other colleagues, broadcast services weekly from my home with a virtual background of the synagogue sanctuary or, during the most recent festival of Succot (Tabernacles), my home Succah booth. Screensharing of texts, online liturgy, and videos enhance the broadcasts, and the greatest boon is showing the reading from the Torah scroll by webcam, making it accessible to many more than usual. We are becoming ever more interactive with our Zoom audiences, maintaining a curious blend of home comfort and community intimacy. The Facebook audience is enormous, including people following from abroad. The idea of muting Jewish people, however, though often necessary, is absolute anathema!
