As I sat in our usual seats in the sanctuary at Temple B’rith Kodesh I knew many people were missing. Many have died with the passage of years. Many have moved on, especially the children of our friends who filled the space in their teens and early 20’s. We used to arrive early to be sure of the aisle seats four rows back on the right aisle. We needed most of the row starting with my parents then us and our children followed by aunts and cousins. 20 years ago I moved to the aisle seat after my Dad’s passing. Today there was one other couple sitting in that row with us and three or four other couples from “those days” in the section, none of us under 70.
Although I was not directly thinking about the changing demographics of our community or the impact of covid on attendance, it was apparent. I remember a time when we had four generations in our family called to the bimah, from my mother to our grandson. Our children and grandchildren have moved away or to other times of their lives and we are left as the remnant of family continuing a membership that dates back to 1948. We will certainly be the last to maintain that string.
In a moment of foolishness I have agreed to read from the Torah for tomorrow’s service. It is daunting since I have not undertaken this honor since Corey’s bar mitzvah seven years ago. I consider it practice for my own “second bar mitzvah” which I intend to celebrate on my 83rd birthday, 3 years from now. Life expectancy according to a passage I cannot cite is 3 score years and 10 or by reason of strength 4 score years.
We are looking forward to a better year than last for the world and for us. In the short term we look forward to driving to Hamilton ON to visit Carol’s Aunt Dorothy, the baby of her generation at only 99, before making preparations to drive across the country in GeeWhiz leaving in the second week of October. I look forward to resuming my in person treasury responsibilities and exploring new friendships in Jojoba Hills SKP Resort as well as renewing longer term friendships which have been limited to social media and zoom calls since May.
It is harder to look beyond a year as we used to. We are more aware of the passage of time and the state of our own health as we make plans. The world seems a more risky place to venture, between extreme weather events and extreme political events. Carol and I have noted that often places we have visited recently have become powder kegs within a year after our departure The most recent example being Ethiopia. I have often said I would not let threats of terrorism determine my travel plans. I will let acts of terrorism and war deter me from visiting. We have no current plans but we are considering some small ship adventures in areas that are somewhat remote to the ongoing active fighting and massive storms.
I am hopeful about the future of our grandsons as they pursue education and careers and maybe someday even present us with a great grandchild- no pressure – careers first.
Now I must review Bereshit in preparation for tomorrow and go blow shofar one more time!
