Megillah Madness, COVID 19, and an opportunity for mindfulness.

March 12, 2020 in Hazzan Asa Fradkin

“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you got till it’s gone”

—Joni Mitchell ( but you knew that)

I’m so glad Megillah Madness was this past Monday. It was raucous, loud, hilarious and so so so so much fun.

I literally think if Purim had fallen one week later, we may not have had it at all. That would have been such a enormous letdown for the incredible work that all our amazing volunteers put into this year’s Rock of Ages Megillah Madness spectacle.

Beth El is awesome. It’s ridiculously amazingly awesome to be a part of, belong to and I continuously marvel that I ended up working here.

And now we are all going to appreciate just how wonderful it is, because we may have to start practicing social distancing in the synagogue or even from the synagogue in the coming weeks. 

Note. This is not a policy announcement

Just like in any relationship, this physical distance can help us with renewal. And since many of us are working from or remaining at home, it’s the ultimate opportunity to reflect on what we’d like to be doing out in the world.

When the world opens back up, how do you want to treat people? What types of actions can you take for the public good going forward, even when it’s not Coronavirus anymore?

Take 5-10 minutes to meditate in the morning and reflect on who you want to be on the “outside.”

I shared a quote from Rav Kook in the recent Sorkin email which has a beautiful musical setting.

Here are the lyrics again:

 If you desire to, human being, look at the light of God’s Presence 

   Gaze at the wonders of creation, at their Divine life.

   Know the reality in which you live.

   Know yourself and your world.

    Rise up.

    Rise up, for you have the strength to do so.

    You have wings of the spirit, wings of powerful eagles.

    Do not deny them, or they will deny you.

    Seek them, and you will find them in a flash.

            Orot Hakodesh I, pp. 83-84

Here is a link to the music: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ieg5AvyikfA

May we find the strength in trying times to know our own reality, find healing and rise back up together.

Shabbat Shalom

Hazzan Fradkin