blogs/arosenblatt

In late July I went to visit my father, who lives in Massachusetts, and has just had to make the move from an assisted living facility to a nursing home. My father is well-read, extremely articulate, and still capable at age 92 of carrying on a conversation about current events and world affairs. However, left to his own devices, he would rather spend much of the day alone, reading a newspaper, watching television, or taking a nap. Unfortunately for him, in his new living situation, he doesn't have many choices about how he can spend his day. Because Parkinson's disease has relegated him to a wheelchair, and the nursing home staff (who are wonderful) control where he spends his day, he finds himself being put in social situations and participating in activities whether he wants to or not. While I am saddened by the loss of his last bit of independence, I have to say that there is a part of me that can't help but be happy that he is becoming more of a social being. There is no question that there is a definite benefit to him and his quality of life because he now spends more time interacting with other people. And so it is with the difference between online community and face-to-face conversation. Social media and Facebook groups give us a wonderful forum for communication. I love seeing what people are up to on Facebook and Instagram. But, at the risk of showing my age, I still believe that the real connections between people happen when we are face-to-face and can connect on more than a digital level -- when we can read each other's emotions, feel the other person's intent, smile at each other and shake a hand. So, while I am going to suggest (perhaps ironically) that you stay up-to-date on happenings at TAS by visiting our website (new, improved, and optimized for cell phones and tablets!) and reading our Facebook postings, I challenge you to also walk through the physical doors of Temple Avodat Shalom. Our TAS year blasts off in September, a full month ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Before August ends, we will have events to launch our annual fundraising campaign for this year, and we will continue those launch events into September. I hope you will join us for our inaugural First Friday program of the year on September 9, complete with Tot Shabbat and a Family BBQ dinner before the Family Service. If you can't make it to that service, there is good news �" Shabbat services happen every Friday night and every Saturday morning! The start of Religious School on September 11 will bring with it a TAS-wide welcome back event, where you will be able to meet representatives from all of our different committees and groups, find out what is in the offing for this year and see what committees might need your help and input. Rabbi Jacobson will be starting an Adult Education program on “Praying with Meaning” on September 15. Join us on September 24 for our beautiful and reflective Selichot program and service. So, welcome back from summer break. Walk through the doors and join us in person. I promise you won't regret it.