We Long for What Is Yet...

Charlotte Jewish News September 2021

By Peter Levinson

We humans abhor uncertainty and will do just about anything to avoid it. We often live in these places of “already, but not yet.” The pandemic has given us a concrete example of longing for the “not yet.” We long for what is missing, trying to make sense of this jigsaw puzzle of life. Our physical absence from each other has created a longing for that in-person connection. We’ve missed many of the things that are best enjoyed while in the company of others. Our longing for community and engagement has deepened through the experience of being isolated. Seeing each other face-to-face makes our joy complete.

For the past year and a half, we have endured virtual gatherings, worship services, work meetings, and social events. So what have we learned while being in “this place?” Perhaps we have discovered what is most important in our lives and how much we take for granted.

Being virtual presents a mixed bag of emotions and commitments, together with the ability to portray an idealistic state of our reality. Yet we know how things really are on the other side of the lens. Most of us have stories about living in a place that looked more like a call center than a home. (Remember that awkward Zoom moment where your kid suddenly appeared during your important meeting to announce that he’d done an oh-no!) Oh, don’t forget the new work apparel: business up top — party down below. The Ruach experienced many virtual “oops” moments that included green screen recording re-takes, post-production edits, and oh yeah, “We forgot to include that song or that art in the service!” It all looks smooth and easy on the screen, yet the behind-thescenes reality often deepened our longing for the — not-yet- LIVE experience!

The blessing of creating the virtual Shabbat and High Holy Day Experiences allowed us to connect and facilitate prayers for one another. It allowed The Ruach co mmunity to observe Shabbat with meaningful, modern music. And it offered a place to hear inspiring messages and the chance to read the Torah. It allowed us to connect at any time and any place. It’s provided us moments to hold fast to what is good!

As we gather in person this year for our High Holiday services, The Ruach invites you to recognize and reflect on the myriad blessings in our lives. Let us take the opportunity to thank God for bringing us to this moment, the middah of Hakarat Ha Tov: Gratitude “Finding Good”

in the unnoticed moments of blessing. The lyrics of “We Rise” by Bayta Levine, the opening song for the High Holy Days Experience: Rosh Hashanah, says it simply and perfectly: “In hope, in prayer, we find ourselves here. In hope, in prayer, we’re right here.”

This year, The High Holy Days Experience 5782 will be both in person and online. No financial commitment, membership, or tickets are required. All state, local, and venue rules, and regulations, along with CDC guidelines, will be followed. For details, follow The Ruach on Facebook or join our email list by sending your contact info to the.ruach.band@gmail.com.

As we prepare for the Days of Awe, may we keep our hearts and minds open and recognize that the beauty of life is the tension between the now and the not yet, while eagerly anticipating goodness in the future.