How often do you think of religion? And are you an active participant in your daily deeds/ your involvement in your religious community/ are you busy assimilating into society? Has religion become something archaic/ deterrent to your anonymity for whatever reason?
Well, it's a holiday weekend for the Jewish faith and my kids couldn't join me this year but I have often spent holidays just with friends and my community. It's okay because we can choose to follow traditions however we want. But this year was different...
I did enjoy being with extended family for an early Shabbos New Year meal and then headed early over to services at the Reform Temple. Parking wasn't an issue at all and maybe that should have been a red flag. As the service time drew nearer the sanctuary began to buzz as more congregants arrived, but whereas usually the seats are full, this was not the case.
COVID did a number on attendance in past years and provided the streaming option where we could stay in the comforts of our home and not share germs. We were all ready to see each other again in person but as we know with the beginning of school, the number of COVID cases are increasing again. Most folks are in denial and just tired of mask wearing but is this really the only issue regarding attendance?
I don't even think the sanctuary was 50% filled. IF the first day was a work day, I might expect to see that percentage in a reform temple BUT for Erev Rosh Hashonah unheard of...
Was there a large on line attendance/ or did more people travel to families since the holiday landed on a weekend? Or has the recent political doings discouraged memberships? Every institution has political discourse at some time, and our places of worship are no different.
People have a choice and when leadership changes, membership also can struggle. I think all religions are facing similar problems. What can we offer to bring people back to attendance and participation?
Now, I have to tell you that we had a good attendance for the first day at the more observant synagogue but attendance for the second day was much lower than usual too.
Religious institutions are struggling and we can only hope the next generation will step up to save tradition even if they have to change the memories of their parents's generation...
Just musing...
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