By Adam Arnold            

            Pluralism is a term that has been used a lot recently, at least in my community. Being open to different types of Judaism, different people, and different people practicing different  types of Judaism. Even 50 years ago, the Jewish communities were separated based upon level of faith into orthodox, conservative, and reform. The current day has brought about new thoughts and ideas surrounding how the Jewish people continue to adapt and exist in a world with an evergrowing amount of anti-semitism, anti-Israel, and anti-Zionism speech.

            "Jewish-ness" has also become a new lifestyle as the coronavirus that has plagued the world, the USA, has pushed all of us to resort to sitting within a small box confined to the dimensions of our own computer screens. Traditions, rituals, and praying have continued, but some of us have not; losing our sense of what we are supposed to be doing to remain Jewish in essence. Being regulated to a small box on a screen has pushed some individuals--I like to think I can include myself in this--to figure out how to use technology to advance what we can do Jewish; continue what has been done for centuries. I have helped to lead online services, read Torah, Haftorah, Megillah, share the siddur on the screen, admit people from a waiting room, and be the "king of the all-zoom mute" to ensure the service runs smoothly and correctly. Being Jewish has not been a burden, rather, an honor as I have stepped up to be one of the leaders in my community.

            L'Dor V'Dor, from generation to generation, taken in context, means the continuation of the Jewish people and their rituals. However, I hope that this past year does not have to pass down to the younger generation. As one who has helped to ensure a safe service and online place, one who has had to endure a anti-semitic zoom attack, I hope that no one else must learn to do what Jews around the world have had to do the past year. L'Dor V'Dor except this year. No person should have to worry that their prayer space will be invaded constantly. No one should have to worry that a congregant will ask one to slow down or speed up the pace of davening. No one should have to worry that a click of the wrong button will share the wrong page open on their computer. No one should have to worry that their own family, in the background, in another room, will be a distraction to other people in different places around the city to their own praying and participation in a service. I am proud because I have endured all of this. I have lived to tell the story. I have lived through so that maybe--possibly--the future does not have to.

            Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, has become even more of an essential message. Not only are Jews worldwide trying to reduce climate change, write our political leaders in hopes of change, or tutoring those who may be struggling in school. The world is healing. Israel is leading the charge to heal not only quicker, but more effectively.

            Being stuck in my home, I have become accustomed to sitting in a chair or on my bed, pinned within an inch by inch box on a computer screen, clicking buttons and typing phrases: I'm here, present, have a good day, I have a question. My youth group, BBYO had an entire convention, with worldwide participants, and it has been the best part of my online covid experience. I connected with people in California, Florida, my own community, Kentucky, England, Estonia, Russia, Argentina, and celebrities from around the globe to further a worldwide community of Jewish teens all in one place. Through an online video sharing platform, I was able to interact with over a thousand Jewish teens worldwide for a four day period to celebrate our Judaism through the annual BBYO International Convention. To say it was "fun" or "enjoyable" would be a major understatement. I was able to meet hundreds of people I never knew existed, interact with even more through chats, zoom meetings, activities, and interactive programs in celebration of my and their Judaism. The experience was worth it not because of the online interaction, rather, how all of us came together in this unpredictable time to show that obstacles will not stop us from practicing Judaism.

            I am proud to be a Jew not just because I am continuing a legacy stretching back over five thousand years, saying the same prayers that Jews in the Holocaust said, or my great-great-ten generations ago great grandfather said. I am proud of my Judaism because as my heritage and history has proven, obstacles are not a cause to give up and stop. Obstacles are a chance to grow stronger, reach higher together and independently. I have had the great and marvelous honor to do both.