July 2021 Newsletter

Religious Practices Message
Melissa Immel & Mark Wolkow
We are back!
The RPC and Reopening Team are thrilled to announce that services will begin
once again in the Sanctuary on Friday, July 9th at 7:00 p.m. It's been a long time
coming, and we are all anxious to get back together in person. We have followed
the lead of State and National guidance, plus excellent input from the Union for
Reform Judaism, in determining our Reopening strategy. When we go back
initially, it will be with masks and distancing. We hope to move to relax those
requirements soon, especially as Maryland will drop those requirements as of July
1st.
Our goals have been safety, number one; treating everyone fairly, number two; and
reaching some sense of normalcy, number three. To those ends, we have contacted
all medical professionals (that we know of) in the congregation to assist with any
congregants with concerns about becoming vaccinated. 100% of those contacted
agreed to sign the letter you recently received, which encourages everyone to be
vaccinated. Included in the letter are excerpts from a CCAR Responsa to the
question of vaccination. We would also encourage you to read this
recent article from the URJ weekly, where Rabbi Danny Burkeman of Temple Shir
Tikva in Wayland, MA, discusses vaccination from a Jewish Perspective.
In a way, having the Responsa from the CCAR provides just the kind of
information/opinion that makes Judaism so powerful and so relevant to us today.
First, a question is raised by one synagogue. A group of Rabbis then look to the
Torah and other historical writings through the ages for guidance on how to
answer. Next, they will look at various aspects of the issue and its potential
impacts. Then, they look at current information that they believe to be trustworthy
to help make a decision. Then there is a serious, respectful debate about the issue
and how the Rabbis should address it. When you hear that Judaism is a "living
religion," this is an example. It does not mean that everyone agrees (although, in
this instance, the case for vaccination is pretty overwhelming). There are often
minority opinions written along with the majority opinion, not unlike the Supreme
Court. And then, the opinion(s) is shared with the entire community for the benefit
of all. If you are interested in looking at other CCAR responsa, click here, or search
for "CCAR Responsa."
Very much looking forward to seeing everyone back in shul!
Melissa Immel, Co-Chair, RPC
Mark Wolkow, Co-Chair, RPC & Reopening Team
Barry Baker, Co-chair, Reopening Team
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