Living Normally in Abnormal Times

How to live normally in “abnormal” times? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Remember that book you’ve wanted to read? Maybe now is the opportunity.
2. That cupboard, drawer, garage, basement that needs to be sorted – guess what? Now is the time.
3. The weekly parashah (Torah portion) the Rabbi discussed and you want to research further? Research further.
4. For our school parents, haven’t you been waiting for some time to hang out with your kids online? We have some cool sites to visit including: Bim Bam, Berman House and Ten Minutes of Torah. Then learn all that stuff with your kids! They can probably help you right back with your Hebrew!
5. Need more social time? Use your mobile, landline, Skype, text or whatever to keep in contact with one another, especially those who may be alone and/or elderly.
6. Never have time to stop and smell the roses? Take a leisurely stroll (if you’re not in self-isolation), but don’t forget to keep 2 metres in between yourselves and others enjoying the fresh air!
7. You don’t want to miss enjoying The Arts, do you? Laughter, singing and beauty are always available on the T.V., streaming provider or listening to your favourite playlist while having a dance party all through your house. We can even all hang out together virtually as we join Rabbi Pollock on solel.ca/live for Friday Night or Saturday Morning Services. It’s a whole new level of prayer when you can tune in and sing Mi Chamocha from your own living room, and know that the community is out there, but with you all the same. (I personally danced around my house, cell phone in hand, regaling in the Rabbi’s beautiful voice!)
8. What’s the most important thing? Follow God’s commandments, as Leo Baeck did in response to a suggestion of Ghandi during the holocaust. Ghandi is purported to have said that the Jews should give in, give up, and commit mass suicide. Baeck is purported to have said, God’s commandment is “to live”. The commandment for all peoples is “to live” and we did, we do and we will.

Together we will get through this; we will be careful, we will follow the health regulations, we will support one another and we will survive.

Til the next time we see one another at shul, on the street, at the supermarket or at Bet Sefer Solel – Keep well!

Arliene

Filed under: Educator's Message

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