In front of the television with the rabbi and cantor streaming live. I think I really liked this year’s services.

With the new year approaching, we talked about how to go to services. There were three options – in person, an outdoor service or streamed from our family room couch. We chose the last, with the idea that it would be safest for this year. That, it was.

But surprisingly, in addition to feeling safe, I also felt more involved in the service than any year before. There was something about being able to really hear every word, see the rabbi’s expression (well, at least in his eyes above his mask) and hear the cantor’s intonation matched with his expression. We had promised that we were going to dress for temple as we would have otherwise, but in the end opted for what I will call comfortable clothing. I think that kept us engaged for longer than usual.

I definitely missed the personal interactions of the new year experience. I really do look forward to seeing our friends and neighbors and catching up on a year’s developments. I suppose next year we will have to catch up on two years.

But for now, I conclude we had a very enjoyable and engaged experience.

COVID has changed so much.