I have developed an ache for the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I’ve only ever been there once, so I’m not sure why that’s the museum I yearn for. Not the MFA, where I was a member for years, nor the Getty, nor the stunning lines of the Guggenheim. Not even the Whitney, and I love me some Whitney. I miss the feeling of the Gardner. The calm, the dark old tapestries, the very air. The feeling of being with people while being alone. In the scheme of grief today, it is little, but I have learned to honor even the tiniest grief for the world we have shut down.
I miss sitting in a darkened theater when the lights have come down and the show has not yet started. That liminal moment, when anything is possible, and hundreds of anonymous people anticipate intense emotion together, as a group. And I miss applauding with other people when the show is over. It will surprise no one that I often lead the laughter and have started more than one standing ovation.
Most of all, I miss you, my community. I miss walking into JCOGS and hearing Patti in the social hall, setting out utensils. I miss our spontaneous choir, El Schnepo’s gregarious “Shabbat Shalom,” the chaos of the children at Olam Chesed pickup. I miss potluck suppers where I meet strangers who are about to be friends, and I miss Edie’s jokes with the rabbi. I miss late nights where my family is urging me to go but one of you is telling me a story, and I stay five minutes more. I miss knowing which of you comes late — very late — to services.
What will our future look like? What will JCOGS be like this summer? Next High Holy Days? At Chanukah? At my daughter’s bat mitzvah next spring?
I don’t know. I wish I could tell you, but I don’t know. The experts are telling us that nothing will be fully normal for over a year. I cannot give you a clear picture of where we will be or how we will operate. I desperately wish I could.
Here is what I can tell you:
The finance committee is modeling a very conservative budget for quarter one of next year. We will be fundraising and we will find ways to tighten our belt.
Rabbi David is making plans for several levels of contingency for each event and holiday. We have no intention of slowing down our programming.
Religious leaders around the state have been working together to offer proposals for safe and graduated opening needs to the state.
Beth is planning for a robust educational program.
We will do everything to help our own members and the larger community weather this.
Our chesed caring committee will continue to hold our members and support you through this time.
Rabbi David remains our source for deep compassion and spiritual guidance, and we are so very fortunate to have him leading us through this.
JCOGS will always put the health and wellbeing of our community first, yet we will also maintain our commitment to community, Jewish life, and providing a deeply meaningful Jewish education. Delivered… somehow.
I know the world we live in will, in some ways, never be the same. And, yet, just as I believe I will again look out into the courtyard of the Gardner and just as I am certain I will attend a lifetime of riveting plays, so too am I certain that JCOGS will emerge from this strong in faith, community, and love.
Yours in light and hope,
Emily
P.S. If you missed it, our friends over at Living Tree Alliance are offering a gardening class. Click here to learn more.
Friday, May 1, 5:30 PM Schmooze; 6 PM Musical Shabbat services Join in and feel the much needed connections. 5:30pm Schmooze it up: BYO wine or tea for a live chat, then stay on the same live stream for our Musical Shabbat service with a couple of special guests. Join via zoom here: https://zoom.us/j/98120687974. ....................................................
Thursday, May 14, 12-5 PM Red Cross Blood Drive at JCOGS Thousands of blood drives have been cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for blood is constant – patients need your help. In order to support social distancing, appointments are now required, click here to sign up. ....................................................
Join us on Zoom here — password GARDEN Are you interested in growing your own food and not sure where to start? Build your resiliency with skills for survival during uncertain times. These interactive workshops are designed to offer practical know-how while integrating universal Jewish values and ancient wisdom teachings/ stories. We help you bring it alive in your own home. Offered by LTA’s educators Sephirah Oshkello, Melanie Kessler, and Elliot Cluba April 29 – Starting Seeds In Pots May 6 – Creating a Garden Space and Planting May 13 – Planting with children & linking tradition May 20 – Add Wild Foods to your Repertoire Join us on Zoom here — password GARDEN ....................................................
“Rescuers in the time of COVID-19” Vermont Student 2020 Essay Competition Vermont Holocaust Memorial invites Vermont students to honor an individual or group they may know or have encountered in their community, by sharing a story of modern day “rescue.” This may be a doctor, house of worship, nurse, grocery clerk, shopper, postman, neighbor, friend, organization, parent, delivery person – or others. Ordinary people CAN DO extraordinary things. This is the only way people survived during the Holocaust, and the way people will survive this current crisis. ....................................................
