Re-energized Daily Minyan

WHAT KEEPS US APART, CAN BRING US TOGETHER A DAILY MINYAN RE-ENERGIZED BY GOING VIRTUAL

By Michael Kerstein

"We’ve found that being together is what is important in our lives. Exactly how we do that...well, that’s always open to change."

How did you gather with your friends in 2020? Or go to a concert, eat out, and be with your community? It was such a challenging year, that we’re surprised at the successes.

Minyan, the weekday, lay-led service, started at Temple Israel in around 2013. Some years it has been regularly attended, and in other years - not. It has continued as an opportunity to discover what it means to pray together, every weekday, Monday through Thursday, the last 17 years, year around. And gathering together has always had its issues. It’s not that easy crossing through rush hour traffic to make it to Longwood Avenue and the Riverway at 6:15 p.m. Seldom has it been able to reach a Minyan of 10 adults; usually there only were 5 to 8 participants.

That is...until the Covid-19 pandemic shut down all in-person gatherings.

Now that we’re gathering together virtually through Zoom, we always have a Minyan and usually 15 to 18 people attend regularly. It’s easy to commute - all you have to do is walk across your living room to your computer and turn it on - two minutes tops! Most people who are joining in nightly, live in Eastern Massachusetts, but we’re joined by Texas, Florida, Germany, and those traveling at that moment from their car. Distance is no longer a big factor in attendance, and making time for this brief service together.

We’ve found that being together is what is important in our lives. Exactly how we do that...well, that’s always open to change.

Minyan is held daily, Monday through Thursday, at 6:15 p.m. You can join us through our website at www.tisrael.org/live. If you need help accessing the link, please call our front desk at 617-566-3960.