As we look to put COVID behind us

In his article Empty pews imperil our community (AJN 04/02) Rabbi James Kennard aptly summed up problems facing the community as a result of the impact of COVID on shules. For whatever their reason – whether it be health related or simply getting out of the shule attendance habit – it is clear that many long-standing congregants have (at least so far) failed to return. The rebuilding task facing the community and especially the rabbis and lay leadership responsible for shules, is indeed  tremendous. And no, I don’t have answers.

But older potential returnees aside, a particular element of the COVID impact on shules that needs to be highlighted is the impact on children and youth. Anecdotal evidence suggests that for at least some of them two COVID years have meant that shule has moved to the back of their thinking if not completely out of it. And that has serious potential consequences for their Jewish connection as much as for the future of shules as institutions and their place in the community.

That shule is a place to carry out religious duties is one thing that has suffered through closures although home-based tefillah and Zoom events provided a minimalist alternative for some. However that it is a place of gathering (literally, a “beit knesset”) serving as a social centre is the other element missed as a result of lockdowns (government imposed or perhaps now even self imposed) – and woe betide the religious nature of a community where other places of gathering of different natures do not just complement but supplant shules.

Shule-related concerns aside, there is a further serious matter relating to Jewish involvement that has greatly suffered from the impact of COVID. And that is Diaspora Jewry’s relationship with Israel.

Much has been said about this both here in Australia as well as in the United States and elsewhere. For Australian Jews the lengthy almost absolute ban on outbound travel combined with bureaucratic difficulties and at times even bans applicable to entering Israel (however well meaning their imposition may have been) have made it clear that while Israel is the state that is in principle open to all Jews, there are still differences between the rights of those in the Diaspora and Israeli citizens/residents. We may or perhaps should have realised this before but never was the differentiation so stark. So many of us who opted to remain in the Diaspora always knew that (financial situation permitting) Israel was simply a plane trip away. And then suddenly it was not.

And so, in January of this year, as restrictions on Australians leaving Australia were lifted but Israeli-imposed restrictions still impeded travel, The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) urged Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to lift the entry ban on non-Israeli nationals, expressing concern over the impact of the travel restrictions on ties between Israel and Jews Down Under.

In an open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, ZFA president Jeremy Leibler wrote: “On behalf of the Australian Jewish community, I urge you to find a solution that appropriately protects the health and wellbeing of Israeli citizens but allows Diaspora Jewry to visit Israel under whatever necessary safeguards or conditions are required,” He added: “Israel has been a leader in fighting COVID and protecting its citizens. I am certain it can continue to do so while ensuring that the bond between Israel and the Diaspora remains strong.”

Yet even if hopefully Australian Jewry will now overcome this situation and recommence travelling as before, there is certainly fear that American Jewry – except for the most committed – will have a reduced relationship with Israel, with all that that entails politically as well as religiously.

But in regard to this element of interruption of Jewish life and the essential post-COVID rebuild there is also a need to pay particular attention to youth. For as far as youth involvement with Israel is concerned the potential implications of the past two years are particularly dire (even if a few managed to get away in the summer of 2020/1 for programs that were unfortunately shortened as the COVID impact worsened).

Whether simply a “shnat” program or longer term yeshivah/seminary attendance, whether a school-based Israel program or a post-school summer six to 12-week program, or whether (particularly in America) a Birthright program, all exposures to Israel are proven modes of increasing the Jewish involvement of our youth and placing Israel at the forefront of their thoughts. All such experiences are particularly significant when they occur prior to entry into higher education and workforce opportunities where negativity towards Judaism and Israel is regrettably widespread and has at least the potential to impact on young lives.

Fortunately this year we are seeing some 200 youth finally landing in Israel for their gap year. But sadly it would seem to be almost a certainty that the Jewish and Zionist involvement of most of those who have missed those experiences will be reduced – and that has lifelong implications for them personally as well as the community as a whole. Once again attention to this matter needs urgent creative thinking.

Yes, even as COVID has not yet ended, the sacred task of rebuilding communal activity including strengthening our ties to Israel, must be kept firmly in our sights. We cannot allow it to fail.

Shabbat shalom,
Yossi

Yossi Aron OAM is The AJN’s religious affairs editor.