A Few Words From Rabbi Craig Marantz

Shalom Chevrei:

The pandemic has given us ample time to think about how we go about synagogue life, how we can better engage our community, and how we can build Emanuel back better.

In this spirit of renewal, we want to tell you about a new URJ tool for reflective practice, the Covid-19 Reflection Tool. You can read more about it here: https://urj.org/blog/reflecting-covid-19-new-tool-support-change-your-congregation. A multi-step change process is outlined as follows:

1. L’chagog: Celebrate what you have accomplished since mid-March.

2. L’harheir: Reflect on where you’ve made progress on new success measures, on five shifts necessary for success in a hybrid world, and on the depth of your change, as well as what you need to stop

3. L’chalom: Imagine what is still possible going forward.

4. La-asot: Make a commitment to act, and consider joining others in a network of innovators launching in early 2021.

I look forward to assembling an engagement team to use this important platform to help us figure out our transformative steps ahead - not only during the rest of Covid, but also upon fuller reentry to 5959 North Sheridan Road and beyond.

Shir chadash; shiru ladonai kol ha'aretz. Sing a new song; sing to God and throughout all the earth. If you’d like to help us “write new songs” and shape meaningful change or renewal that will inspire greater engagement, please email me at rabbimarantz@emanuelcong.org.

Make it a day of blessing, be a force for good, and stay in the fight.

Zei gezunt:

Rabbi Craig Marantz