Rabbi Wendy Pein's Blog

On Tuesday, January 24,  Professor Eliyahu Stern, Associate Professor at Yale University, spoke about the book Out of the Ghetto by Jacob Katz at Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains, NY. This lecture was the second lecture sponsored as part of the Westchester Jewish Council (WJC) Jewish Literacy initiative.  With good cheer and enthusiasm, Dr. Stern and the WJC staff mingled and greeted the in-person attendees. After the lockdown of Covid-19 and the long winter, many attendees excitedly reconnected with one another as we waited for the lecture to begin.

Approximately thirty people attended the lecture in-person and one-hundred people watched it online through Zoom. At the beginning of the lecture, there was a technical glitch regarding sound, and those participating through Zoom missed the first part of the lecture. Dr. Stern made a joke that he was not going to start over as there are “advantages to showing up in person.” He did, of course, briefly summarize what had been covered so that once the sound was fixed, the participants on Zoom were able to follow his material. Dr. Stern delivered an engaging, enlightening lecture about the effect of Emancipation on the Jewish people and demonstrated how Emancipation continues to shape Judaism and our Jewish identities today.

After the lecture, there was a lively question and answer session, and the Zoom participants texted their questions to an in-person participant who asked Dr. Stern the question in real-time. The questions bounced back and forth, from those sitting in the room to those who were texting their questions.  It was the epitome of a hybrid program as both those who were in the room and those watching from home were recognized and engaged.

When the question and answer session concluded, so did the evening for those participating online.  However, for those who attended in person, the evening continued as Dr. Stern took the time to personally speak to some attendees on the bimah. Other attendees discussed the book, the lecture, and the previous lecture sponsored by the WJC Literacy initiative and shared information about the next book and lecture. The conversation flowed into the foyer, and participants continued talking to one another and to Dr. Stern as we left the building.

Pirke Avot teaches, “If ten people sit and study Torah together, the Divine Presence rests among them” (Pirke Avot 3:2).  Here, the number ten symbolizes community, and the text reflects that a community is an ideal context for study. In addition, the text also emphasizes the virtues of being together and interacting with one another. One can communicate and transmit information over Zoom, but attending an online lecture or program does not create sacred connections. Rather, this is what was created among those who attended Dr. Stern’s lecture in person on Tuesday evening.  This is what is felt among those who attend Temple Israel’s Friday night or b’nai mitzvah services each Shabbat.   And these social bonds are what we seek to create among our students who attend the Center for Jewish Learning (CJL) each week.

“How good and pleasant it is that we dwell together” (Psalm 133:1).  The Psalmist reflects on the ruach or spirit that is created by physically being together. If you are able, I encourage you to join us in person for upcoming Temple Israel programs and experiences so that we can create the warm feelings of connectedness that comes from “dwelling together":

What can a Jew Learn from the Faiths of India? With Rabbi/Professor Dan Polish - Event - Temple Israel of Northern Westchester (tinw.org)

Community Dinner with Speaker Paul Silverman - Event - Temple Israel of Northern Westchester (tinw.org)

 A Celebration of Israel through an Exploration of Israeli Culture - Event - Temple Israel of Northern Westchester (tinw.org)

Pre-Passover Study and Lunch with Rabbi Pein